Time immediacy and the student
I struggle with time immediacy in that I feel I need to let the students know how successful they were on a test, assignment, project. I want to be aware of their current situation both knowledge and grade wise. The problem I have run into is that the students now expect that immediacy in getting work back. I created more time management issues for myself by not controlling my time usage correctly to being with.
Amy, It sounds like you have a good handle on the ebb and flow of work in your queue over the course of each semester. It also sounds like you are great at modifying your approach, based on the amount of work you must complete. This is great to hear. Sometimes one consistent approach is not the answer, but instead being flexible to your environment.
Dr. Melissa Read
I realized I was doing this in the beginning when I was first starting to teach. I am now in my 4th term and I still have the feeling of immediacy, but I tell students I enjoy getting "stuff" (homework, projects, etc) early and that way if I can (have time) I'll grade it and get it back to them, which is less stress on me later on when I have more to do. I find the deeper I get into the term, the more stuff I have to do, so the more I can do early, the better off I am.
I have found this method to become more effective and the students seem to like it because they get their homework back way before the test so they are able to study from it. It seems to work for everyone.
Billie, It's amazing that you can offer such a quick turnaround. I imagine that your students greatly appreciate the quick feedback they receive. Sometimes online testing and grading tools, used in the classroom, can make things easier for instructors who want to provide a speedy grading process.
Dr. Melissa Read
I try to grade quizzes and tests before class ends. The students love to hear about their grades before leaving class. It is definitely a time saver if class time does not run out.
I agree with the students . I expect feedback ASAP so do they . I grade test quickly it's only fair.
Communication with the students on when papers will be graded and when grades will be posted for them to see as helped me with them.
Ashley, Interesting approach. On one hand, having access to instant results is probably great for your students. On the other, immediate and intermittent grading may not be the most efficient approach. Have you given grading in batches a try?
Dr. Melissa Read
I too am guilty of this. I usually try to grade student's tests as they turn them in and make them aware of their grade before class is over. This definitely makes it easier for me to manage time.
I know how important it is to give immediate feedback to students, and I have to fight with myself to grade all student exams after class, not as students complete theire exam. I have found problems with immediacy and grading exams immediately after students hand them in. First, if I can't grade all turned in exams by end of class, the remaining students feel that they were left out. Grading exams as they are turned in causes me to rush and increases the chance of grading mistakes. Sometimes I need to reconsider an exam question, and if I have given a verbal grade to a student, it is usually not good to change that grade. It may create hard feelings on the part of the student, or convey the idea that the instructor doesn't know his/her own exam.
My weakness is that I'm not good concerning time immediacy. My management skills need constant attention.
I totally understand where you are coming from. I always tell my students that I will post grades within a week of the assignment, test, etc. I usually correct papers and exams immediately, not because I feel I have to, but because it makes it easier for me to manage time. I have very limited time to grade papers, so I like to get it done as soon as possible. You have to let the students know what your expectations are and likewise find out what their expectations are.
Jeff, So true about students being able to read into your body language. We must keep in mind both the verbal and non verbal signals we send to our students, fellow faculty members and administrations.
Dr. Melissa Read
i to have had some challenges with that myself; as i try to prioritize tasks to accomplish during the day, i need to be conscience that i do not relay any form of imidiacy in doing so. students can read into your body langauge and could be conditioned to a form of imidiacy. for an example of this, when we have completed a quiz, i make sure to communicate to the students when the quizes will be graded and when a score can be given out to them. i will be consistant when administering the quiz and will be sure not to deviate from this. soon the students are used to this format and will know what to expect.
i also address the class as a whole when covering details of tasks like quizzes. it establishes that i am covering or handling time for the entire class and most students pick up on this. most students will choose a more appropiate time for one on one types of needs and this all helps to time management.
