Richard, It sounds like you've given this topic a lot of thought. Yes, to your point, rubrics really can streamline grading in most situations. They have a few other benefits too. They can be used to delegate grading out to a few people. This can certainly take tasks off your plate. Also, they make grading a lot less subjective and more fair.
Dr. Melissa Read
One thing I do (because we cannot sort discussions in our grade book) is to note responses on a spreadsheet. This gives me a chance to review all responses and then enter the grade. While this takes a few more minutes, in the long run I think it saves more time than clicking on one student, searching all of their responses, clicking back to the grade book, entering the grade and then starting all over for the next student.
In grading, our department has a template we use for feedback. This allows me to have the shell of what I need (the rubric) and then the space for individualized feedback. This saves times.
Erica
I like to have at least a couple essay questions on my exams. One time-saving tip I found helpful, was having the students underline the key concept in their answers.
My courses are art studio courses primarily, so there is little to be gained for me in this section. That said, I have taught art and design history in the past, and the methods described proved valuable.
Our institution requires scanning of all work performed by students, including tests and homework. In order to streamline this process we began using specific answer sheets and scan only one copy of a major assessment. This has also given us the unexpected benefit of having a single paper to perform grading upon, which can be stacked to physically allow grading of more than one assessment at a time. With multiple choice assessments this simple idea saves a ton of time from having to flip through 15 pages to check each individually circled answer.
i like to format my quizs and test with either multiple choice or true or false questions and dont think i will change this format as i can have a master key out and check the answers that way
we have went to a scan tron that really saves a great deal of time
My biggest struggle is with essay grading (I'm an English instructor). I feel like I am short-changing students if I do not scrutinize grammar, structure, and style just as stringently as purpose and content, and this is massively time consuming. It has helped somewhat to implement guided peer reviews where students look at each others work and then check off required elements on a work sheet. They must also note any missing elements. I still have much to do in helping to further streamline this process
I think I will lean towards more multiple choice and true/false questions. In the past, with these type of exams, I have been able to have the students answer the questions on an answer sheet. I grade that sheet. The only problem I run into, are the students that state, after reviewing their graded exams, that they circled the correct answer on the exam, but wrote the wrong answer on the answer sheet.
So far, my current format has served me well. I give a 20 question quiz every week (multiple choice). I have an answer made and I check it the Friday before I give the test. The major exams are also multiple choice and I put them in scantron format. The only thing that slows me down is the homework. I pile on the homework. My students have a workbook and two lab experiments to turn in on Mondays. I'm thinking of putting in more matching and fill in the blank questions to streamline that process.
I know that scantrons are quick but I'm always wondering just how much are the students really retaining. Can they really explain a concept or have they just remembered the answers.
using multiple choice and have a key that lays over it is how i do it
Although I seldom repeat quizzes and always make three different sets, I make my answer keys my allies. For objective tests, I have secret codes and answer patterns in my language to make checking papers a breeze.
Maria, Wow, that sounds like a great idea. I love the idea of having an answer pattern. You could do themed patterns for the holidays.
Dr. Melissa Read
Troy, That sounds like one of the fastest approaches for grading. It works relatively well for many courses. Note that for some subjects like english writing, we've got to use essay or other testing formats that more deeply assess student capabilities.
Dr. Melissa Read
I don't have a hand in the exam and homework format since our curriculum, tests, assignments, claendars, etc. are pre-determined. However, I did find the suggestions on "to-do lists" based upon priorities VERY helpful. This will come in handy when I am trying to juggle my time between correcting, entering grades into the computer & reviewing wrong answers while still trying to be a good wife, mother and overall person outside of teaching.
My quizzes are in a multiple choice, true/false and short answer format already. I have seen my colleagues use a separate answer shett for quicker grading. I will resolve to ask them for a copy taht I can edit and use in my class work.
It will save me correcting time and printing time (I will not need to keep printing new test copies each block).
For six years I have only ever used short answer tests. Now, I will switch to an online multiple choice program.
I typically utilize multiple choice exams with one or two essay questions. This allows me to quickly grade the exams. I really like the idea of having the students put their answers in the side of the paper for quicker viewing when grading.
Wardell, It sounds like your long term grading process is about to get a lot easier! Note that the short term investment of switching may be time consuming but well worth it!
Dr. Melissa Read
