Get Your Students Hired
Although I have used this strategy at other universities where I had more control over course development--currently I am an online instructor where our courses are pre-designed (Instructors do not have the option to revise any course tasks or give exams, etc). In fact, my courses do not have any exams! My students submit written work (many pages and each course consists of approx. 30 to 35 students), DBs that includes DB post and a min of 2 significant replies for each student, and PPTs so this module was not helpful to me as an online instructor. I am a bit disappointed because grading is very stressful for me with the time limit and the hours of reading each student’s written work. Although I could suggest students to highlight important areas within their written work--it is my belief that students would complain and my course policy would not be supported by the university’s policy. Nonetheless, I am going to suggest it at the next meeting…
We are given only 72 hours to review and grade each student’s work and we are required to provide significant and personalized feedback to each student. Then at the end of the course we are given less than 48 hours to review and grade the last task---it is very stressful so my hope was that this module would provide me with some helpful strategies which has not necessarily been the case for me in this module--
When I make tests, I usually make two copies -- I use the program to produce two versions or I key them in Word and then sort sections of them in alphabetical order.
When I run the tests I run one version on pink paper and the other on yellow paper. When they are distributed to students it is easier to make sure no two students sitting next to each other have the same version of the test.
That way I know that all students are being tested over the same material, presented to them in the same manner.
ScanTron sheets can then be used for grading or if it is a word response type of exam, I have answer sheets they use. Then I can place my answer key next to their responses and check them much easier.
The next time I test over the same material I can either use the same tests or again sort them in a different manner.
Has worked for me for about 47 years.
I am basically following the recommendations set forth in this module for organization of materials.
Excellent to hear Earl. Sounds like you've got a lot on track today. I think it's important to use customized exam formats for unique classes. A one size fits all approach is not always the best approach.
For two of my classes, I already use the multiple choice format. This definitely saves time with grading. There are two other classes where their tests are done using essay. For these classes, I will consider using multiple choice, true/false, or another format to help save time with grading. I will also look into using technology (online resources) as it relates to homework assignments.
The school I'm at is the same way, I'll start looking for my window to throw out some ideas I'v learned in the module
Excellent to hear Keegan! Do try to integrate this for both homework and exam style grading. You'll be absolutely amazed at how much faster you are with grading. Additionally, your students will learn to focus on providing correct, clear and concise answers!
As a Clinical instructor, i had a hard time constructing tests and quizzes to my students due to lack of time. knowing these online programs that make quizzes quickly is really beneficial and will greatly help my students. It will certainly save my time by just modifying these questions according to our objectives for the term.
I really like the idea of underlining essay answers and having the answers on the side of the question instead of underneath. I am going to try to integrate both of these into my homework and exams.
My tests and homework are skills based. I haven't found an easy way to grade most of it. Checking a full size pattern draft for mistakes is time consuming but I don't see a way around it.
That's a tough place to be Ward. When administrations have standard grading formats, there are benefits and setbacks. If you see big opportunities for improvement, don't be afraid to escalate them to your administration.
I won't format them very differently at all. We are given grading formats and testing formats with homework assignments from corporate. there can be no deveiation. there are 17 schools and they must all be in allignment. I cannot change days or sequences. I must teach as I am told.
Abstracting from op reports is very critical as well as selecting the proper code. Having the students highlight the words they need to code correctly shows they are understanding the process of abstracting.
I love the idea of highlighting their essays and going over the homework collectively. Great time savers.
I don't anticipate changing my grading format at all. I teach a MS Office applications course. My students first do the chapter project together; with me stepping through it on the projector. This not usually a graded item because we did it together. They then do the lab individually. This is a graded item which I grade by hand so that I can identify problem areas that might require additional time. They then take a task based quiz which is graded by the computer. I think I have a pretty good mix of grading by hand and electronic grading. I do not however use an online grading system that is available to the students, but thanks to the information in this course I will begin using it very soon.
My tests are fairly well streamlined. I will however try to format the short answer questions to instruct a student to highlight what they feel are the key points in their answer.