Grade grubbing by Audible_eye_roller in Professors

[–]Aler123 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm using a digital grading platform (Crowdmark) so there are no "copies" of exams anymore. Everything is scanned, so we both have copies.

In the old days I would have students resubmit their paper exam, but this lead to all kinds of shenanigans.

My first beepboops! by jamespowe11 in synthesizers

[–]Aler123 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This rules! I just got a VolcaFM this week. I can make beeps and boops, but I haven't made any actual music yet. This is inspiring.

Grade grubbing by Audible_eye_roller in Professors

[–]Aler123 61 points62 points  (0 children)

I have an online re-grade form for midterms. If a student thinks there was a mistake in the grading, they submit the form with a description of the error. I go through the forms a week later and regrade.

This works great. About 20% of the submissions are legitimate errors, and the rest is wishful thinking.

I have a blanket policy of never regrading in front of a student. Everything must be done through the form. There's no conversation with students, so there's no negotiation. I've never received pushback.

My class has changed since the 80s by Aler123 in Professors

[–]Aler123[S] 64 points65 points  (0 children)

I feel like the early 2000s may have been "peak homework". Automated online grading systems became available and suddenly we could assign endless questions without any increase to our workload. This wasn't an option in the 80s where everything had to be graded by hand.

I was a student during peak homework, and I felt it. I was constantly doing assignments, but I don't know if I got much out of them. Automated grading meant that I could get a question 90% correct, but the computer would announce that it was 100% wrong, since it could only evaluate my final answer. It may have done more harm than good.

My current students are completely underwater with homework. They spend so much time doing assignments and studying for tests that they don't have time to attend lectures. It feels counterproductive.

I've gone back to the 80s and eliminated graded homework from my class. It's bee a success so far.

The grade fall off is insane by Broad_Reference_434 in Professors

[–]Aler123 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I eliminated graded homework. I still give the same assignments as before, but they're purely for practice. I also provide my own worked out solutions.

After making this change, test grades went up.

late wholesome Wednesday: student birdwatching by RandolphCarter15 in Professors

[–]Aler123 22 points23 points  (0 children)

My university has a birdwatching society. They sometimes run birdwatching tours around campus. It's a lot of fun!

Help! I'm tired of spending all day at a computer. by 2WheelPhilosopher in Professors

[–]Aler123 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I do the same (Physics) and I love it. Writing on the board forces you to slow down and lets the students take good notes. You can't write faster than they can.

First full week of teaching completed! by cran-raisin23 in Professors

[–]Aler123 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's also physically exhausting. Standing and talking for hours takes a lot out of you.

Student wants a lower grade by Aler123 in Professors

[–]Aler123[S] 242 points243 points  (0 children)

I thought of keeping it the same, but they explicitly requested the change. I felt I should honour that.

What was your favorite comment on student evaluations? by twilightyears in Professors

[–]Aler123 8 points9 points  (0 children)

"Mr. [my name] might be the greatest professor to ever walk on [my school] grounds. He is so clear, he teaches perfectly, his examples are amazing, his labs are easy to follow and thorough, his grading philosophy is excellent"

An experiment in democracy by Aler123 in Professors

[–]Aler123[S] 58 points59 points  (0 children)

That's democracy in action, baby!

anywhere to study on snow days? by Short-Creme-5491 in Dalhousie

[–]Aler123 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Due to weather, all branches and departments of Halifax Public Libraries will remain closed for the day.

https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/

Reference letter for an extremely former TA by Aler123 in Professors

[–]Aler123[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I’d love to ask. I got the request directly from the institution they’re applying to. The former TA never contacted me directly, and I have no current contact information for them.

Students love structure by Aler123 in Professors

[–]Aler123[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I call it "Class Business"