Yes, this is an important point Stillman. We must always ensure that our grading methods are best at assessing student learning. A secondary goal is to streamline these methods so we can spend less time grading and more time focused on other things - like student needs.
Yes, a universal answer key for lab tasks could definitely take your grading system to the next level Ralph. Sounds like you do already have some good processes in place.
As an instructor at an automotive technical institute, our classroom grading process is set forth by corporate guidelines (scantrons and answer keys), however, our lab activities and finals do require constant vigilance to ensure that the students are completing the tasks at hand correctly. Having a universal answer key for all lab tasks would be a benefit in streamling the grading process for lab activities. Homework (aside from reading from specific chapters in the text book) is not assigned to our students.
There is no question that all ways using true or false question is the fastest way to grade. I think we have to ask our selfs what is our objective. Does the study know the material or we hope that he does.
Hi Melissa,
I am excited about the tools discussed! I test using multiple choice, matching & short answer questions and use a separate answer sheet. I may try using a scantron for the multiple choice section and plan to explore the test and quiz websites to see if they are time savers.
Tracey
Fortunately for me, I am teaching material that does not require for me to reformat the exams and homeworks. There is also a template that is provided for us when we are grading (rubric). That definitely helps me streamline the grading process.
I always set aside time to grade my papers and quizzes in a quiet environment with any distractions.
Yes, numeric based questions are relatively easy to grade Monty, though sometimes I like to assess the steps that each student took to arrive at the answer. The assessment of steps can be the time consuming part but well worth it.
If I have a choice, I would streamline the assignments, and change them from an essay type to multiple choice. In addition -being a finance class- I would add some questions that are dealing with numbers (net earning, debt ratio, etc.)
Yes, we've got to think about what we want students to learn and retain when designing our exam questions. Sometimes simple and easy to grade questions are appropriate for our courses. Sometimes they are not.
Another tip I use is the wording of the essay. Grading a "compare and contrast the methods that are used to. . . . will be a lot tougher to grade than "List and define the 5 most important . . .". Of course, the "list and define" is not as high a level of thinking, but in a career college setting (if that's where you are) it can be acceptable.
It is typical for me to use mostly the multiple choice / scantron grading process. However, I offer a short essay on some tests because I believe it is important. I do not set up myself for a long grading process, so I am happy with the results I get.
Because I have gone a few rounds with my classes, I have already made up the tests. I think it will be less stressful to keep the tests as they are, and not change my system. For future class development, though, I think I will stick with strictly the scantron. The added bonus to scantron is that it allows me to give the students quick feedback on their testing.
Teaching online, assignments are essay format only. So I do not have a choice in the design of the homework. With 35-40 students per class (and teaching 2-3 classes) this is extremely time consuming. Not to mention, I also provide up to ½ page feedback on each paper submitted. Therefore, the section on grading was of great interest to me as sometimes I find it hard to maintain my sanity after a couple days of grading. I had not thought about having the students underline (or highlight) the important material. That would be one way for me to more quickly locate what I am looking for. I have found that I have become a speed reader after 7 years of grading essays, but this tip could really help. I would love to hear if other online instructors are using this too?
Sounds like you have an excellent system Rochelle! Scantrons are really great when you can use them.
my testing is done on scantrons so it is very easy the quiz systems is fill in the blank but it is diffulcit but they are only weekly
I have confidentiality concerns in the area of letting others students grade each others papers. In fact, some districts do not allow it due to confidentiality concerns.
I think I do very well in this area. I like to use bullets for short answers, vs. sentence format. This area is a strength of mine
This is a great method Sandra! Go ahead and give it a try. You'll find that you save time and students also learn a little more in the process.
I will allow students to help grade tests
Dr. Read,
I believe that providing detailed student feedback is critical to the learning process. I always make sure to have my grades back within the 72 hour window with detailed feedback on all assignments, pointing out both strengths and areas for improvement as well as where and why points were not earned. The rubrics used in the classes I instruct are good tools to use for this purpose.
Rubrics are excellent grading tools that I believe ensure more objective grading practices. I always use rubrics to grade student papers and presentations. I've found that my students like knowing exactly what they’re going to be measured against and the comfort of knowing that I don’t just pick a number out of the air. I like rubrics because it makes it easier and quicker for me to grade assignments when I have quantifiable factors to measure.
Best,
Kristin Horton
