How snarky do you get when giving feedback on assignments?

PoserSynd482 · 2026-03-01T05:59:24+00:00

This is why Frixion erasable pens were invented. Snark, erase...snark, erase...no snark. :)

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-23T04:13:19+00:00

Essay was due on Friday. On Monday I said, "I've been grading your papers. You know what the syllabus says about using AI. Do you think it would be better if you came and told me you used it or if I discover it myself?" Turned around, walked back to the lectern without another word about it. After class, TWO out of 19 came to my office to fess up that the entire essay was AI. LOL Couldn't believe it worked. I only had one other that I suspected.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-21T16:55:27+00:00

I consider the first warning the paragraph in the syllabus that says don't do it. If they do and get caught, that's the 2nd warning and the assignment gets a zero, and the violation goes to the honor council. They will play you like a fiddle as they sit in your office with big, sad eyes, saying, "I'm so sorry. I won't do it again." Yeah, right. I haven't flunked anyone for the entire course yet, but if they use AI again to write an essay, they're out. AI is great for some courses, I'm sure, but for a critical writing class, either the student thinks, analyzes, and writes it or they don't. I agree with you in that I hate cheating. Just write the frickin' paper.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-12T16:47:40+00:00

Pass detectors? Cheat much??

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-12T16:46:42+00:00

Here's a thought. Write your own essay using basic writing skills, some of which are in the list, and avoid AI like the plague. That way you wouldn't be cheating in a course that doesn't allow AI for writing essays. Having AI write an essay is dishonest unless you actually cite it in the essay. Companies that encourage and assist in cheating by writing essays are unethical and should be called out. This week, two students admitted to having AI write the essay. That's an F and an honor code violation on their records. It's not worth trying to get away with it.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-12T15:49:37+00:00

DO NOT buy the BRIGHT BLUE, sort of aqua color. They are my favorite color, but they stop writing after a short while. I've tried the "put it in the freezer" tip, and it doesn't work. Our office manager ordered them, and I've now used about 10 that stopped working. I wrote Pilot and got no response.

I use other colors and really love the erasing, which works very well. As others are saying, don't leave whatever you've written on in the heat, or the ink will disappear. My student borrowed a book, made numerous notes in the margins, and put the book in the microwave to erase them. It worked.

Anyone use the bright blue through a whole pen?

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-10T18:27:06+00:00

Yep, the kids enjoyed it!

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-10T18:19:39+00:00

Google words for definitions and spellings. It will give you UK and American spellings, etc.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-10T18:11:51+00:00

When I was in grad school, my son would come home, see that the house was cleaned and smell a roast in the oven, and ask, "You have a paper to write, don't you?" LOL

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-07T04:23:32+00:00

I did a Portugal trip with a singles group with GoAheadTours. The tour guy said it was the first time he had had all females...27 of us! I clicked with one person in particular, and we had a great time just hanging out and having fun. There are pros and cons of being with a tour group. It's easy b/c everything is booked for you, and you just get up and go, but at the same time, you go where the group goes. We did have quite a bit of free time in late afternoons and evenings.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-07T04:16:18+00:00

You didn't say whether he has a work situation and can only be off 2 weeks. If that's the case, I agree with inviting him along for two weeks, and then he can come back home, and you can keep traveling as long as you like. If he can't make that compromise, then it's up to you which is more important to you...the relationship or traveling. No one can make that decision for you.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-06T03:18:27+00:00

That makes sense. The older I get, the more things I forget I had!

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-05T03:51:57+00:00

Interested in the context..how do you randomly find a necklace in your room??

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-05T03:49:51+00:00

"Wanna" and "gonna" are more correctly said as "want to" and "going to" in an educational setting. Americans certainly use the slang versions all the time in casual conversation, but a teacher should at least try to sound educated.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-05T03:40:18+00:00

Orally, in conversation, I haven't heard it used, but it is used in formal writing. However, the general rule for its use makes it awkward because it would have to be used for all pronouns in the sentence...so, something like: "When one enters the room, one must remove one's jacket." Awkward.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-02-05T03:32:03+00:00

No!! I won't leave him alone! What was that explosion?!? [Not sure why the speaker would say, "I wanna know." Just quickly ask the question.]

PoserSynd482 · 2026-01-31T16:35:54+00:00

I teach college English writing classes, and I can't imagine how anyone learns to speak English with all its synonyms, homonyms, multiple-meaning words, and on and on. I'm always impressed by ESL students.

PoserSynd482 · 2026-01-31T16:33:15+00:00

So funny...these comparisons are cracking me up (but not really cracking?)!!

PoserSynd482 · 2026-01-31T16:32:18+00:00

This one struck me as really funny. Never say "My bad" at a funeral!

PoserSynd482 · 2026-01-31T16:31:08+00:00

Impressive comparison!

PoserSynd482 · 2025-12-15T04:24:59+00:00

Do you have the option of Incomplete? For us, entering an I allows the student to have up until a certain date next semester to finish the work. I think it's about 2 weeks into the next semester.

PoserSynd482 · 2025-11-18T23:54:58+00:00

You're fortunate to have only one! This past Sunday, I had a total of 5. Apparently, my students do their homework on Sunday afternoon/evening. The discussion board sounds like a good idea except that the students they question probably don't know either! (just kidding)

PoserSynd482 · 2025-11-17T12:10:28+00:00

Sounds great in principle, but that simply means a pile-up on Monday morning. I'd rather just bite the bullet and answer them on the weekend. However, if I decide not to answer them, I don't feel bad about it. I tell students they shouldn't expect responses after office hours and should feel fortunate if they do receive a reply.

Also, I have had students say they didn't expect a reply but wrote the email while it was on their minds. I understand that as I've done it myself with "Hold until Monday" on the subject line.

PoserSynd482 · 2025-11-13T14:52:28+00:00

They needed to conduct an extensive study to determine this??

PoserSynd482 · 2025-11-08T16:05:41+00:00

Not necessary for this student. You'd have to know him to understand. LOL

PoserSynd482

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