dept_geek
SPAF by decree, documentor of local meetups, and
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,634
through a glass darkly....
|
 |
« on: January 23, 2009, 09:29:42 AM » |
|
Serious question with no right answers: After grading an assignment (especially one that isn't exactly up to par), what kinds of comments do you leave? Just the facts? How to fix? What to read to improve? None at all?
Just the facts, while efficient, seems to come off as a laundry list and no "fuzzies". How to fix and what to read ends up looking a little snarky no matter what because all the emotion is out of the reading.
I'm trying to improve this part of my online teaching. I always feel like I'm coming up short. So - help?
And thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code. When in doubt, add chocolate.
|
|
|
|
csguy
|
|
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2009, 09:11:38 PM » |
|
We don't do "fuzzies" in my department.
Find something good to say (followed proper variable naming conventions) as well as critique.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
dept_geek
SPAF by decree, documentor of local meetups, and
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,634
through a glass darkly....
|
|
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2009, 10:59:34 AM » |
|
Thanks, CSGuy. We have been "encouraged" to fuzzy more. It's tough. :(
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code. When in doubt, add chocolate.
|
|
|
|
csguy
|
|
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2009, 09:05:14 PM » |
|
Thanks, CSGuy. We have been "encouraged" to fuzzy more. It's tough. :(
Tough love -- that's the ticket. Dig up some of the "studies" supporting the efficacy of tough love in solving problems and extend them to your case. Need someone to write this idea up and get it published somewhere (e.g. Compass Point Journal of Whacko Pedagogical Studies). The sample rubrics provided with one of my texts have points for things like putting your name on the assignment. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
dept_geek
SPAF by decree, documentor of local meetups, and
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,634
through a glass darkly....
|
|
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2009, 10:04:30 AM » |
|
The sample rubrics provided with one of my texts have points for things like putting your name on the assignment.
LOL. I've seen those. I'm not (yet) that bad. But if my chair has their way............... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code. When in doubt, add chocolate.
|
|
|
|
scotia
|
|
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2009, 10:15:21 AM » |
|
I was taught the 'sandwich' as good practice. Start with a positive comment about something that the student has done well or adequately, then put the criticisms/what could be done better in the middle, and finish with a positive (you know that the assignment was really bad when the final comment is 'good choice of font' or something equally anodyne).
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
high_energy_photons
|
|
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2009, 05:17:44 PM » |
|
My students find it amusing that I use smiley faces when they do something particularly well. I started using it once when I didn't have a ton of time, but I wanted students to know I thought positively of their work (recent deaths in the family really made things tough). I thought it was silly, and once things cleared up, I went back to longer, more specific comments. My students noticed immediately, saying they missed the smiley faces. Some unique, positive feedback can sometimes punch it up more than any extensive description. I went back to the smiley faces for most positives. For negatives, I like to pair it with a positive. For example, "Your significant figures are good, but you need to use proper units. (See p. X for more info)." Students seem to read them more, if there is a positive. I also include references to resources that can help students.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
dept_geek
SPAF by decree, documentor of local meetups, and
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,634
through a glass darkly....
|
|
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2009, 08:45:18 PM » |
|
Thanks, HEP. Good ideas, all.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code. When in doubt, add chocolate.
|
|
|
|
