grading in the sciences - mcgill university
TRANSCRIPT
Grading (and Feedback) in the Sciences
Valérie Bourassa & Chris BaileyTeaching Fellows (TPULSE)
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Thursday, January 30th, 2020
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1. Have you TAed before?
2. What percentage of your TAship was assigned to grading?
3. What type of assessments did you grade? (lab report, quiz, exam, oral presentation, paper, etc.)
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
1. Explain the rules of academic integrity2. Discuss the necessity and importance of
grading in higher education 3. Determine reasons for developing criteria
and standards for grading 4. Use a rubric to grade students’ responses5. Deliver constructive feedback
Power of AssessmentAssessment shapes the way our students approach learning. It can influence how they do their homework, how they study, and how they collaborate.
Power of AssessmentAssessment shapes the way our students approach learning. It can influence how they do their homework, how they study, and how they collaborate.
We can use feedback & grading to improve the learning experience &
performance of students!
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What are your concerns about grading ?
Team A: Answer the question from an undergraduate student’s perspective.
1Team B: Answer the question from a TA’s perspective.
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Grading
Methods• Grade all of the first questions first• Grade each paper starting from the last question
• Do the assignment yourself and use that as a guide
• Use a student’s work as an answer key
Tips• Grade in the morning• Grade with music (not Netflix!)• Don’t look at the student’s name/ID number
• Don’t grade when you’re hungry
REMINDERSCIS 303 MidtermFirday, October 11, 201910:00 – 11:25 Location: ARTS 210From: [email protected]
GradingIndividually, read short answer of student 1 and grade the
response out of 10.
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Explain how a solar eclipse occurs and how it impacts the world. You may use a diagram.
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Source: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse‐who‐what‐where‐when‐and‐how
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/10 marks
A solar eclipse is when the sun and moon interact and the amount of light received by the earth is reduced. The moon blocks some or all of the sun’s light onto Earth. When a solar eclipse occurs it is dangerous to look directly at the sun even
though there is less light being emitted. A solar eclipse is not a common occurrence, but one could be seen in North America
in August.
GRADING
Rodrigo
Rodrigo
GradingIndividually, read the second short answer of student 2 and grade the response out of 10.
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Alex
/10 marks
Alex
Alex
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A solar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the moon orbits between the sun and earth. Not all of the earth will experience a solar eclipse at the same time.
During this time, the moon can partially or fully block the sun and the amount of light reaching the Earth is reduced. The day gets darker, and thankfully it only
lasts up to 3 hours so plants and animals are not severely affected. In comparison, a lunar eclipse is
when the moon passes behind earth.
GRADING
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After reading Alex’s work, would you change Rodrigo’s grade? Why or why not?
GRADING
Rodrigo Alex
GRADING
From: [email protected]: RUBRIC
Dear SCIS 303 TAs,
Attached is a rubric to help with markings for the midterm.
Best,Prof. Sue Storm
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Solar eclipse short answer rubric
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Category (marks) 0 % 50 % 100%Science explanation (6) Did not answer the
questionResponse has some missing information.
Response is scientifically sound
Terms (2) e.g. eclipse, partial, total, orbit, corona
Did not use key terms correctly
Used some key terms correctly
Used the appropriate amount of key terms correctly
Provide examplese.g. partial and total solar and lunar eclipse (1)
Did not provide examples Have mentioned one examples
Have provided more than one example
Impact(s) of solar eclipse on Earth/animals (1)
Did not provide any impact of solar eclipse
Provide one impact Explained one or more impacts
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Use the rubric to regrade the two student responses.
Interpret the rubric as you see fit.
What grade did you give them?
GRADING
Where does your grade differ? Where would you make changes?
Grading
Despite the use of the rubric, many students have made requests to transfer out of some “harsher” TAs sections and into sections of more lenient TAs.Professor Storm has expressed that these transfers are disruptive to the course and asks the TAs to meet and resolve this inconsistency in grading.
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Guiding QuestionsGRADING
What if the rubric provided by the instructor is faulty? (4 mins)
How would you go about correcting a rubric? (6 mins)
What if the instructor is not open to changing the rubric? what other strategies can you imagine would help with the consistency between TAs in grading? (5 mins)
Guiding Questionsq Will your approach differ when
giving feedback to failing, versus passing and excelling students? (5 mins)
q How can you write/voice a concern in a way that students will most likely take action? (4 mins)
q Take a moment to read the third student’s answer to the exam question. (1 min)
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/10 marks
Noosha
Noosha
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. A solar eclipse can only take place at the phase
of new moon, when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earth's
surface
FEEDBACK
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Guiding QuestionsFEEDBACK
How will you use your time?
What specific skills will you comment on?
What language will you use to efficiently convey your message?
Share your feedback with your table.How does your feedback differ?
What to consider before I give feedback:
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HOW MUCH IS THE TASK WORTH?
HOW HEAVY IS YOUR GRADING LOAD FOR
THE TASK?
HOW SKILLED/ADVANCED ARE THE STUDENTS? IS THERE A LOT OF VARIATION IN ABILITIES?
WHAT MEANS OF COMMUNICATION DO YOU HAVE AT YOUR
DISPOSAL?
ARE THE STUDENTS GOING TO PERFORM SIMILAR OR RELATED TASKS IN THE NEAR
FUTURE?
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Feedback burgerLight and fluffy opening comment
One major skill
Some minor things to work on
Light closing
FEEDBACK
Light and Fluffy start Some minor things to work on
One major skill to work on
Light closing
Excellent job on writing a thorough introduction
There are spelling mistakes
The methods section of the lab report are not clear as the processes are not scientifically sound or safe
Keep working hard
Good job on your presentation
There reference list is missing on the last slide
The presentation was over the time limit. Prior practice on the presentation can help to manage the time
Great use of figures
Academic IntegrityDuring one of the quizzes, ‘Dee is having a hard time understanding what is being asked in the quiz and you notice that he starts to panic. Moments later, ‘Dum and ’Dee are talking to each other in Narnian. You ask them what they are talking about, to which ‘Dum explains that she was only translating the questions for ‘Dee. You warn them not to talk during the quiz and let ‘Dee know that if he has questions about the quiz, then he should ask you directly. So, ‘Dee asks you about one of the questions, but you cannot explain it without giving away the answer. ‘Dee goes back to his seat, uncertain what to do. Later on during the quiz, you catch ‘Dum and ‘Dee talking again in Narnian. You know that ‘Dum is a solid student and you think it is possible that ‘Dum is only translating the question and is not providing ‘Dee with the answers, but you are not sure
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Academic Integrity
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What would you do?
What is the role of the TA in issues of academic integrity?
Academic Integrity1. McGill Policy: do not accuse the student.
“If you are a teaching assistant, you should report the incident to the course instructor, who should report it to [a] disciplinary officer.”
2. Prevention is possible• Be vocal about how plagiarism hinders learning• Establish dialogue with course supervisor• Reduce their stress
3. Resources: • Dean of students: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest/staff/student
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From: [email protected]: Question about midterm marking
Hello,
I was surprised to see that you removed 5 marks off question 10 in the midterm, but I think that I answered the question correctly so I am hoping that you can reconsider my answer.
Thank you,
Jean Grey
Feedback
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Feedback
After consulting your rubric, you realize that Jean’s concerns are fair.
How do you respond to Jean? Write an email response.
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Feedback
After consulting your rubric, you are confident that you graded Jean fairly.
How do you respond to Jean? Write an email response.
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Harassment• Other TAs• Course Coordinator• Instructor• Office of undergraduate
education
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Don’t be afraid to have your team involved (ex: cc’ed)