Student Grading
The article says that allowing other students to grade tests is a good time saving method. However, it is time saving, FERPA prohibits teachers from sharing the grades and other private education related documents of another student (and rightfully so). The way around this is to have students write a reference number on the test that identifies the student who took the test -- the number can be kept a secret between the student and teacher.
Personally, I don't use this method at all. However, it does save on grading time, it also factors in student grading error, and takes up valuable class time that could be used for more relevant class activities. I think a better method would be to switch to a scantron or online format for quizzes and exams. You can blend essays and short answers with a scantron or online format so that you only have to grade the essay and short answer portion of a test.
I have used this format often, and it works for me. It saves paper, and it allows you to put full-resolution color diagrams if your school doesn't have a color printer. I find that I have to be more vigilant about walking around the room to make sure no one is peeking at notes for online tests though. If you're using a Mac, you can make sure they put Safari in full view, and let them know that they cannot leave that full view until the test is done. This way it's pretty easy to see when someone sneaking onto the desktop to take a look at some notes.
The downside of online tests is that if you make the test inaccessible after they take it, the students don't have a study resource. However, most online portals allow the teacher to keep the test active even after it is taken. Some even allow the student to take the test again (un-graded of course) for extra practice.
Kelly, That sounds great. It's wonderful when efficient grading also translates to fastest feedback for our students. That's a win win!
Dr. Melissa Read
I use online tests and quizzes for about 50% of the tests and quizzes in my class. This is very helpful in saving time grading, and the students love the immediate feedback and grading!
Excellent point. FERPA cannot be ignored. I would shy away from any chance that this could cause problems. There are better ways to save time. Using short answer or multiple choice tests may not always be optimal for assessment but it usually provides, you, the instructor, with the ability to provide timely and meaningful feedback to your students.
Joshua, Thanks for sharing your approach to efficient grading. It sounds like a great one. Yes, it takes the right kind of students and the right kind of system to make student grading work. Large class sizes and beginner students are sometimes not the right forums for this kind of grading. Your use of technology in testing and grading sounds like it is spot on!
Dr. Melissa Read
I agree that allowing students to grade tests is a good time saving method. It is also a good tool for teaching so the students can learn from their mistakes. However, I do not believe this is the best way to save time. Not only are there FERPA violations to consider, there is also integrity to consider. This method of grading requires that all students uphold their integrity and their honesty. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many situations.
I almost always have the students grade each other's homework or quizzes but not tests. We go over the answers to the homework and quizzes in class and I think this allows them to see their errors (if there are any) and then discuss the correct answers. I grade the tests myself to keep the other students from seeing other students' grades. Usually my tests are True/False or multiple Choice, which makes them easier to grade. I keep the online gradebook with Engrade.com: this saves time and lets the student know their own grade up to the second.
We have gone to all on-line testing. The grading is automatic and it does save a lot of time. The rationales for missed questions is also listed.
