Grading students on a subjective basis - Clinic skills
I have to grade students on how I think they are doing clinically. Sometimes my students think this is unfair because the grade is very subjective and up to me. I've been teaching for 10 years and have been in my field for 22 years so I think I am qualified to grade them accordingly. Is this the answer I should give my students when they guestion the grading scale for clinical skills?
HI Dawn - Thanks for your post to the forum with some very wise advice! Best wishes- Susan
All I can say is rubric rubric rubric. I too have the clinical grading and other grading that can be seen as subjective, especially professionalism. But I make rubrics for everything that way I can show a student exactly why they lost points.
Hi Stevie- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are doing an excellent job of assessing the skills of your students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
For clinicals at our campus we are provided a grading rubric. First, I make sure the rubric is in their addendum so they can see it the first day and hopefully study from it to learn what they need to capable of in order to pass the class. When it comes to clinical times I have the students grade themselves to start and then while they are performing their massages I go through and observe each one at work. I make necessary changes and when I present them with their grade I use constructive feedback to let them know where they are excelling and where they may be lacking.
HI Kamen- You are doing an excellent job of grading and giving feedback to your students! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Jim - Welcome to ED 103! Thanks for that great suggestion and best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
This is what I do, and so far I have not heard a single complaint of me being subjective: I write a Scoring Matrix in which I try to give as clear criteria as possible for what will be graded and how. At the end I write a half of a page or so for every student with my explanation what points had been subtracted and for what reasons. I never forget to praise a student for the strong elements of their performance.
One place to check for a form/template/rubric would be with the license/accrediting board associated with your program...for example the AMA, or AVMA, or whatever field you are in.
All of my grading is subjective and I try to relate it to them putting them in the customer or clients shoes. Would you have been happy paying for that? They usually grasp where I'm coming from better then.
Hi Mark - Thanks for your post which is a good example of how to use a rubric. They are so important-especially in subjective assessment. Best wishes - Susan
If you have a concrete rubric and timeline before the practical begins, it makessense to the student. I have cooked in some of the best restaurants inthe country, but still Gen Y needs their explanation.
I teach culinary arts where we judge for exaple,
burned or poorly cooked 0 points, cooked with a few flaws, 4 points, cooked and seasoned properly 8 points, going above and beyond 10 points.
I do this just so people have a reference
I also use a rubric and my students know far in advance the grading situation. I have exams, research projects, homework and discussion points so if they are weak in one they have the opportunity to do well in others.
Hi Michelle - You're welcome - hope it helps! Susan
Thank you for that link! That is a great idea. I well definately try it!
Hi Michelle - That's an excellent question! I always rely on a grading rubric that the students have in advance os an assessment. One of the colleges that I have taught for has a rubric for every project and other assignment that are included in the syllabus. Here's a free tool to help you create a customizable rubric.
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career!
Susan
