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bone_gal
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« on: October 10, 2011, 09:50:27 PM » |
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I teach an introductory course online where most of the grade comes from the exams (largely multiple choice, some matching), but there is also a sizeable lab and discussion portion. Since I figure they'll use the book even though I tell them not to, I time it tightly, and I've worked hard on the questions so they are more application based rather than just spitting out an answer (which is hard to do on multiple choice). There are no makeup exams allowed in the class.
The course runs in eCollege and I set the exams up to have multiple pages; the directions and all places explaining the exams talk about the multiple pages. All students did fine the first exam, but the second exam closed on Sunday and a student missed the second page of the exam, and got a 54%. They did well on the first exam and are otherwise doing fine in the class. Naturally they emailed to say they want to have a chance to answer the second page of the exam. The difficulty is that once the exam is closed, students can see their graded exams through the gradebook, including the correct answers. Even though I have many question pools in the exam, I'm not thrilled about opening the exam for the student again since that gives them an unfair advantage. But then again, it makes me feel like a jerk if I refuse.
Any advice? What would you do? Thanks!
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burnie
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« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2011, 10:25:31 PM » |
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Did the student say why s/he didn't get to the second page? If it was for a legitimate, provable reason that's one thing. But the odds are good either the student took too long on the first page or just forgot that there was a second page. If that's the case then not allowing any breaks is fair to the rest of the class and will teach them a valuable lesson in the long run.
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Corporate America wants people who seem like bold risk takers, but never actually do anything. - Barney Stinson
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see_wolf
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2011, 10:47:49 PM » |
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Sorry, if the student didn't read the directions, he doesn't deserve a second chance. And I guarantee he won't make that mistake again.
In addition - you'll open the floodgates (and I think, rightfully so) for complaints about an unfair opportunity for that one student.
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2011, 10:56:10 PM » |
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Dear Student:
Unfortunately, by the time you made me aware of this problem the correct answers to the questions had been released to the other students, so I cannot permit you to retake the test. Do your best on the remaining tests and I will take your technical problem into account when it comes time to determine your final grade.
Dr. Bone Gal
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zuzu_
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« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2011, 11:58:18 AM » |
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Yet another reason to build in a drop-the-lowest-grade policy.
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proftowanda
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« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2011, 10:11:20 AM » |
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One student or more than one student? I see "student," singular, but several plural pronouns, i.e., "they," "them."
If all but one student followed directions, that's one thing -- one student.
If more than one student had this problem, OP, that could suggest the format is the problem, not one student.
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"Face it, girls. I'm older, and I have more insurance." -- Towanda!
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scampster
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« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2011, 10:14:22 AM » |
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One student or more than one student? I see "student," singular, but several plural pronouns, i.e., "they," "them."
I think the OP is just trying to avoid the use of the god awful "hu" and doesn't feel like writing he/she each time. The anecdote seemed specific to one student only as well. |
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When you are a scientist your opinions and prejudices become facts. Science is like magic that way!
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brixton
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« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2011, 10:22:56 AM » |
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No re-take for the good reasons you and other posters mention. If the subsequent exam-work is good, and this was an outlier ( and if the system allows it), adjust at the end.
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proftowanda
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« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2011, 10:28:12 AM » |
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One student or more than one student? I see "student," singular, but several plural pronouns, i.e., "they," "them."
I think the OP is just trying to avoid the use of the god awful "hu" and doesn't feel like writing he/she each time. The anecdote seemed specific to one student only as well. Yes, I also think so. But you and I can only think so -- and as the advice as to what to do can differ based on that factor, and as we teach that assumptions can be problematic, I . . . asked. |
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"Face it, girls. I'm older, and I have more insurance." -- Towanda!
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mimi1
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« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2011, 10:26:17 PM » |
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I second larryc's response.
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infopri
I guess I'm now a VERY
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,463
When all else fails, let us agree to disagree.
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« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2011, 02:27:33 AM » |
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Dear Student:
Unfortunately, by the time you made me aware of this problem the correct answers to the questions had been released to the other students, so I cannot permit you to retake the test. Do your best on the remaining tests and I will take your technical problem into account when it comes time to determine your final grade.
Dr. Bone Gal
This. In fact, I've written this very email more than once in somewhat similar circumstances for homework assignments, for which I post the correct answers after the submission deadline has passed. Granted, the stakes are lower for homework assignments than for exams, but the principle is the same. |
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Your experience is not universal. Words to live by.
MYOB. Y enseņen bien a sus hijos. |
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