> Hi Jim,
>
> I think that is a great idea.
>
> I have my students grade their own performance and progress on a weekly
> basis.  This gets them thinking about what criteria they should use to
> assess themselves and what each letter grade really means.  This always
> leads to some great discussions in the first weeks of class.  Isn't C
> supposed to be average, and A an excellent grade?  It seems that the grading
> system has become skewed so that now a B is average and C is what a student
> gets when they don't do anything for the course.  I have found that in
> letting the students grade themselves they tend to actually use the
> C=average as a guide.  If they don't prepare for their weekly lesson, they
> have no option but to give themselves an E...and then work really hard the
> next week to get an A.  Allowing them to grade themselves also seems to
> promote them working harder earlier in the semester, rather than cramming
> everything in the last weeks.  (I do teach a lot of students one-on-one or
> in very small groups.  Being with each student when they assign their grade
> is easy.  I haven't figured out how to incorporate self-grading when
> teaching large classes.)
>
> I was actually to talking to a student about this just yesterday.  She had
> quite a bit to say, especially when comparing the differences she sees in
> the value of an A, or a C, between the US academic system and that of China,
> where she was raised.  I don't know if she would feel comfortable speaking
> about this in front of a group of faculty, but I'm sure I can find a student
> that would.
>
> After writing that I realize that perhaps you meant something else by
> 'grade expectations'?  Regardless, maybe it's relevant?
>
> Thanks,
> Julie
>
> --
> Julie Licata, DMA
> Assistant Professor of Music
> State University of New York
> College at Oneonta
>
> Office: (607) 436-3441
> Cell: (607) 434-3337
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 7:14 AM, Greenberg, James ([log in to unmask]) <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>>  TBers,
>>
>> I was thinking about asking you to bring a student with you to the next TB
>> (I’ll buy them coffee or whatever) and having a discussion with them about
>> grade expectations.   Vanderbilt University just did something like this
>> (see *http://is.gd/L6euPp* ) and the outcomes looked useful.  What do you
>> think?
>>
>> Mr. James B. Greenberg
>> Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center
>> Milne Library
>> SUNY College at Oneonta
>> Oneonta, New York 13820
>>
>> blog: The 32nd Square at http://32ndsquare.blogspot.com
>> wiki: The 32nd Square at http://32ndsquare.wikidot.com
>> email: [log in to unmask]
>> phone: 607-436-2701
>> fax:   607-436-3677
>> IM:  oneontatltc
>> Twitter: greenbjb
>>
>>
>> "Ignorance is curable, stupidity lasts forever"
>> P* **Think before you print! Please consider the environment before
>> printing this email*
>>
>
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