I try to stay away from the questions that are subjective. I have learned that short answer questions are hard to grade so I avoid them. With some assignments that are due I always make sure it isn't due on the final week so I have enough time to grade them.
Grading lab sheets have been a issue with me, after completing this module I grad as a specific task is completed, this way I don't have a heavy load when they are all turned in.
As the programs I teach in prepare students for post- graduation certification exams that are typically 220+ questions, entirely multiple choice; I have always tried wherever possible to use the multiple choice format. Not only are they easier to grade, but also serve as a guide preparatory tool for future certification exams.
However, in some classes essay questions help to strengthen the students writing and critical thinking processes. From this course, I have learned the idea of having the students underline their main thesis of each answer within their essay.
My employer uses two grading styes multiple choice type of quizes and written we use this in our labs. A way to incorporate grading in my written labs would be to bundle labs and grade is by the group or grade as a task gets completed in lab.
Charlie, I like the idea of grouping similar tasks together to become more efficient at processing them. Here, you group all your copy time together and this likely makes a big difference on how much work you've got to put in over time. Nice!
Dr. Melissa Read
Russell, Live grading can have its' perks and I'm glad you mentioned this. Sometimes real time feedback helps students stay on track, reminds them of what's most important and helps facilitate learning. However, we have to be careful when using this method not to frustrate or intimidate students with our feedback.
Dr. Melissa Read
Fred, Indeed it would! The highlighting or underlining method works great. Makes us more efficient in grading but also helps focus our students on the most important points they are trying to communicate. It's a win win.
Dr. Melissa Read
Since I am teaching Ford Motor Company's Courses, the home work assaignments and tests are provided by them. They are of Short answer types(especially the home work) and multiple choice types (the tests). The scantron sheets are provided. However, I can use some of these easy methodes to the self study assaignments that I personally make for my students.
I currently use the bubble style test format. After reading this section I really liked the idea of an essay and having students high lite the important parts. This would save alot of time in grading.
The material required for student study guides and laboratory tasks can be pre-printed and setup as "books" for each student. This "book" idea could eliminate about four hours per month of printer time for our department. The book can be printed at local office stores and competing companies can help to bring expenses down. Grading the books could be helped with students highlighting key aspects of their answers.
Do it as you go. Grade the labs in front of the student as they go. Review missed competencies with student. This interaction aids the student in understanding the lab and what your expections are.
Randall, I can really relate to the challenges that you face. On one hand, it's nice to be able to give students plenty of time to complete assignments so they can do a detailed job. On the other, when they wait until the very last minute to submit their work, this can make our lives hard. I recommend continuing to give students plenty of time, but building in grading incentives for early delivery. Extra credit and the like are powerful motivators that can stagger the grading that's coming into your queue.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am in a Technical school that has a lot of very large Lab assignments. In the past I have wanted to give the Students plenty of time to finish the Lab, however I found they would all keep the labs until the last week of the course causing a bottle neck I created myself. I think I will be giving each Lab a due date and and correcting them as I go to help eliminate the bottle neck.
Robert, Sounds like your fellow faculty and administration have setup an efficient system. That's so great to hear. Multiple choice and true / false are wonderful when it comes to quick grading. Sometimes I like to add in essay style questions just to more deeply test knowledge, but my choice to do so often depends on the subject matter.
Dr. Melissa Read
William, Yes, great to know! Sometimes we become more efficient and streamline our initiatives without even thinking about it. For some of us, it's just an automatic process and it comes naturally. We are the lucky ones.
Dr. Melissa Read
when it comes to our exams I am luckly in the aspect that our exams are all true/false or multi. choice questions. As with our labs most of them are essay in nature I will in the furture ask my students to highlight the important informaition.
I have my students highlight their thesis and topic sentences. I think this will really help save time. I never thought about it exactly in regards to this course content. Good to know I was on the ball! :-)
Presently I use a test generator for my courses and a scantron for the grading process. I always grade the same day and let the students know their scores and then post grades a day or so later. This allows more time to be spent observing and grading lab practicals. Once or twice a week, we correct the homework assignment as a class which is also a great time for discussions. So far so good!
Daniel, Good point. There can be breakdowns in even the most efficient of systems. It's critical to not just setup process, but also to communicate how it can work most efficiently with those involved.
Dr. Melissa Read
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