Thursday, December 19, 2013

Reflection on Grading

     There are several areas of teaching that I am working on adjusting after reading about the "fixes" in grading.  The two main things that I  have really considered changing are using extra credit points in grading and not giving zeros.  From one to the other, I have realized that giving extra credit or a zero does not give a true reflection of a student's grade.  I have always offered extra credit (related to the content being covered) to challenge those who choose to do so.  I have certain students who almost always do the extra credit work and others who almost never choose to do it.  Those who do not choose to do the extra credit are showing me the true picture of where they actually are in terms of learning.  With that, I am gradually pulling away from offering extra credit.
     The second "fix" I am considering changing is give a zero for incomplete work.  I usually put in a zero instead of an "I" for incomplete assignments.  Once the work is turned in, I replace the zero with the points earned.  The students seem to respond more quickly to completing the work when they realize how the zero is affecting their grade.  I only give a zero (that remains in the grade book) on assignments that a student refuses to do.  The concept of not giving a zero is one that will take some "getting use to" as it is something that I am not entirely "sold on".  After visiting with several students about these "fixes", they have shared with me that it would affect how they approach studying and preparing for class.  Of the many "fixes" in this text, these are two that have made me consider changing how I grade.