I have no trouble grading my exams, as they a mostly multiple choice and true false with some matching. It is the drawings that I have a hard time getting through. They take so much time.
Yes, you will definitely speed up grading using these techniques Daryl. Go ahead and give a few a try to experience the benefits.
Rubrics are great Sophie. I like how you are focused on what you can change and can control.
Think about the current format of your exams and homework assignments and how much time it takes for you to grade them. Based on what you have learned in this module, how will you format your exams and homework assignments differently in the future?
I do not have tests in my class. I cannot grade like the material suggested from a doing it in class standpoint. What I have done to cut down on my grading time is to align my grading comments for each student to reflect the standards for the objections given to them at the beginning of the class. Then, I take specific examples from each studnet's assignment to provide individulized feedback. This has worked for me for the past two years.
My class has 2 written assignments per week. These assignments are dictated by the administration of the school, so I can't change the fact that they are written. However, I have found that giving the students a rubric - a breakdown of the point allocation - helps them in writing a more organized paper, which helps me in grading.
I have a learned a lot in this module on formatting and grading exams and homework assignments.
For exams, I have used multiple choice and true and false questions with a couple of small essay questions. I have picked up the technique of having students underline the main points in their essays. Also, it makes sense to have them provide the answers to multiple choice and true / false questions on the side of the questions. This will allow me to grade the assignment quicker.
I will definitely ask the students to underline key components to the task list requirements. This will help me search for the important information. Unfortunately I don't have control of the format so I have to go with what is given.
I already use online test making software. I will continue to use these programs. I may look into online testing that will score my tests. I will try the method of having other students grade each others homework.
Great! Go ahead and try some of the methods that could work well in your online teaching environment. Speed reading for keywords is a great start.
I am an online instructor and often grade long essay work. I plan to have my students underline the main posts of the assignment. This will save hours of grading.
Thanks!
I agree Gordon that a testing server can really be a time saver. In many courses, the kind of knowledge being tested is quantitative and can be tested in this method. It is sometimes a challenge for me to come up with quizzes and exams that are quantitative when some of what I teach (writing) is qualitative and cannot be judged by a computer. I do, however, use those kinds of quizzes for grammar and punctuation testing... and it does save a great deal of time.
I have already begun creating a short rubric that lists the key elements of every assignment or the key answers to any quiz. I then quickly scan through the students' submissions to make sure that the key elements have been covered. This lets me know very quickly which essays or quizzes are going to take additional time to assess and how many of that kind of assignment I have on any given day. This allows me to know very swiftly how much time I need to budget in order to complete my grading for that assignment.
Melissa,
If it's a course I have taught a number times, grading the exams, especially the essay parts are fast because knowing the questions by heart and also the answers I can speed read the essays. However, the methods described in this module are worth trying. In the online environment I can't have students grade the exams, However, I can speed read and look for the key words in the answers.
Indeed. Rubrics work great. Give them a shot.
It sounds like you are doing a lot of things right Tasha. It's also important that you acknowledge what you have control over and can change and what you need to let go.
Yes, we can only do so much to modify structured testing formats. But even small modifications can make a big difference to grading time. So do give it a try.
Short Keys sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing the information.
I do not use a MAC but have found with the new Adobe products and my Dragon Speaking program I can give students oral feedback along with my written comments. This seems to be more motivational than simply providing written comments in an online gradbook.
I also provide hints and examples on how to best complete assignments.
Further, I develop checklists tied to the rubrics to streamline my grading as well as to ensure I have addressed all areas of the objectives.
The checklists also provide a concrete way to provide feedback to students.
Unfortunately my school sets up the classes using essay format for the majority of the assignments. I'm going to try asking the students to underline the key points. I think that is my only option given the format.
I agree with many of the posts that grading rubrics are very helpful in streamlining the grading process and saving time. They are also posted for the students review in advance which helps them to aim for the highest possible grade and give them a better understanding of how assignments are graded.
