In my school system we have adopted a similar grading tool via a website. This allows for our administrator to check our exams as well. It not only allows us freedom to form our own questions and answers based on our students learning curve, but it helps that I have constant assistance with exams and answer keys. Formatting and correction of said exams is easier to handle with the additional help.
I try to do things online to utilize the online grading programs as it saves substantial time.
Lindsey, Yes, the English teacher's job is the most difficult to streamline. The nature of the discipline requires comparatively more complex examination and grading techniques. It's good to hear that you can still think of incorporating a few ideas to create efficiencies.
Dr. Melissa Read
Our major exams and finals are in a multiple choice, scantron, format. This facilitates grading by reducing the time needed. Quizzes are in a solve (math problems) or short answer question. Currently students circle their "final answer". Allocating a space specifically for answers only may speed up the grading process.
As an English teacher, I don't often assign exams or homework that can be graded quickly. My students write essays and they must be graded carefully, which takes real concentration and reflection on my part. However, I will use the ideas provided for re-using materials, finding new teaching materials ready-made from publishers, sharing materials with other instructors, etc.
I would give more Multiple choice and true and false, and some short answers
My tests consist of multiple choice,filling blanks, true and false, matching, essay questions and labeling diagrams.It does not take much time to grade as I donot need a key.
Saroj Patel
I have started to streamline my grading. I make homework multiple choice and have the student write only the letter. The tests are multiple coice also and I have the students take the test on scantron. This maked grading faster and give a faster turnaround time for giving students feedback on their assignments.
I will be using Scantron exams to streamline my grading process after administering exams.
I had already utilized multiple choice as I feel essay questions often leave too much to interpretation of the question. I would like to try some homework assignments which would involve online testing so as to save time corecting, not to mention save some trees while I'm at it.
Kimberly, Sounds like you are working for a well organized and efficient administration. At the same time, even in these contexts, there are always opportunities. I'm glad you still have your eye on these and are considering additional ways of optimizing your approach.
Dr. Melissa Read
Many of the exams and homework assignments are already in place at my work. We also use a computer exam system which generates the test results. These tools all make it easier on us as instructors, but sometimes we do extra homework or activities. In that case I am going to definitely use the suggestion to have the students put their answers on the right side of the paper. I believe that will be so much easier to grade.
I have no control over formatting exams and homework assignments, nor do I grade them.
we are changing book publishers and as we go into their offerings, the work will be more computerized and allow for automatic grading. this will reduce time for grading homework, which for me, is the time consuming.
I agree with your assesment here, i keep essay questions to a minimum and like the idea of underlining key points as well.
Shenita, Great idea and I have used this method with success. Having a single answer sheet can also help when you are transporting exams home and back to school to grade. Things are a lot easier when you have a lighter load to carry!
Dr. Melissa Read
I will not be giving essay exams
I give true and false tests. After the test, I have the students exchange papers and I read the answers. They grade the papers by listing how many wrong answers were on the paper.
Shannon, Yes, some online tools are easy to modify. Others are more ridged. It's important to find the online tool that is flexible for you and works well with your style.
Dr. Melissa Read
In many cases, I do find myself stressed with the amount of work I receive and has to be graded, but I beleive with this information, I will be able to format some of the assignments differently so the students get the same education out of them, but also cut done on the stress of myself grading them. With the courses I teach, the homework I give out is usually able to be graded easily, since it is just wither they have it done or not. However, the tests I give are more time consuming to grade, and I believe I will be able to reformat them so that I will be able to ask the same questions, but in different ways so they are able to be graded in a more time efficient way.
