FWIW - these are the grading criteria I use, as distributed to students at
the beginning of each term. Students get used to the notion that I'm not
awarding points, rather evaluating their work against my expectations for
what constitutes A, B, C, D, or F work. I use a similar but much more
detailed set of criteria for grading lab work.
Criteria for grading homework and exam problems:
Prof. Spagna
Problem solutions, whether assigned as homework or as part of an exam or
quiz will be graded on a numerical scale from 0 - 4, roughly corresponding
to the 4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, 2.0 = C, 1.0 = D, 0.0 = F scale used in computing
GPA.
Solutions are not merely numerical calculations. They also require
sufficient narration that the grader can understand the assumptions applied
and follow the logical steps in the solution, and must be presented in a
neat, readable format.
Guidelines for assigning grades are listed below.
4.0 - The underlying conceptual base which is applied is appropriate, and
the physical reasoning is correct. The solution is complete and
mathematically correct. Narration provides the grader with all necessary
background to nderstand the assumptions made, the principles applied, and
the mathematical steps taken. The narration is grammatically correct and
free of egregious spelling errors.
3.0 - The underlying conceptual base which is applied is appropriate, but
the physical reasoning is not completely correct. The solution is
essentially complete, but contains minor mathematical errors. Narration
provides the grader with most necessary background to understand the
assumptions made, the principles applied, and the mathematical steps taken.
However, logical gaps leave the grader uncertain of how or why certain steps
were taken. The narration contains few grammatical or spelling errors.
2.0 - The underlying conceptual base which is applied is appropriate, but
the physical reasoning is either incorrect or incomplete. The solution is
essentially complete, but contains mathematical errors which render the
final result incorrect. Narration is incomplete, leaving the grader to guess
at the assumptions made, the principles applied, and the mathematical steps
taken. The narration contains grammatical and spelling errors.
1.0 - The underlying conceptual base which is applied is inappropriate.
Physical reasoning is not correct but may be plausible. The solution may
appear complete, but contains mathematical errors which render the final
result incorrect. Narration is incomplete, leaving the grader to guess at
the assumptions made, the principles applied, and the mathematical steps
taken. The narration contains grammatical and spelling errors.
0.0 - The solution is unacceptable or no solution is presented.
Caveats: These criteria are necessarily subjective on the part of the
grader. If, in the opinion of the grader a solution is presented which is
intermediate within these criteria, half-point grades will be awarded, e.g.
3.5, 2.5, 1.5. The grade 0.5 will not be used.
******************************************************
"All shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of thing shall be well."
- Julian of Norwich
******************************************************
George Spagna
Department of Physics
Randolph-Macon College
P.O. Box 5005
Ashland, VA 23005-5505
phone: (804) 752-7344 FAX (804) 752-4724
e-mail: gspagna@rmc.edu http://www.rmc.edu/~gspagna/