Re: Arbitrary Grades?????

[George Spagna <gspagna@rmc.edu>]

At 02:54 PM 10/9/97 -0400, Jerry Hester wrote:
> Tappers and Phys-lers,
> I have recently instituted a policy for labs in which lab grades are
> based:
> 50%  Data sheet answers and results
> 50% Punctuality, Effort, Group work, Preparation, performance, etc.
>
> I feel these more subjective criteria are really more valid measures for
> labs.  The problems here are many, such as, students don't like being
> graded this way since it is a matter of how the GTA interpretes. 
> Students perceive things like effort and preparation differently than
> the grader, and it is very difficult to teach GTAs to use a consistent
> approach to grading of this type.
>
> Do any of you use alternate grading criteria for labs and if so how do
> you approach these problems?

Most of the lab grade is based on written reports, though I reserve to
myself a "half-letter grade" either reward or penalize students for
performance, punctuality, courtesy, etc. (or their lack thereof).  A full
description and listing of the grading criteria is included in the syllabus
(both hard-copy and available through my web site  -  surf there yourself
if you want to further peruse!).

Of course, I have no TAs to confuse the students, so I do that myself!
George Spagna           **********************************************
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