Just a quickie regarding consideration of curves: I don't like them and never ever use them. Curves pit students against each other. I believe that I, as a professional, can set a standard of knowledge for my students. Students have to meet it. Everyone can get an A -- or an F.
Curves set up a competitive situation that research shows has a negative impact on motivation to learn. Thus, I avoid curves like the plague. Many students give up once they realize that so and so sets the curve all the time. Annette ps: Just got back from London today; am dead tired from the trip: Highlight of the trip: met with Allen Esterson for coffee! It's great to meet with tipsters during travels. Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- Original message ---- >Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:22:18 -0400 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [tips] Grading discrepancy >To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> > > Hi all, > > Hope you are having good summer down time. I need > some guidance. The names have been changed to > protect the somewhat innocent. > > School X is my full time job, school Y is a steady > part time gig. > > School X is in a working class/poor neighborhood, > school Y is in an affluent area of LA. Students at > school X are more likely to be working and students > at school Y are more likely to be fully supported by > their families. > > Cheating is more likely to occur at school Y > although it is not unknown at school X. I tend to > monitor school Y students more closely because of > this. > > In my psychology 1 classes, I teach and grade the > same way. I offer open-book pop quizzes, exams with > a limited number of notes allowed, one take home > exam and a required term paper. > > My grade curve at school X is more evenly > distributed than at school Y where it is much > higher. I am getting in trouble because of the high > average in my school Y classes and might lose this > job (since school X doesn't always provide summer > work - 10 month contract - I kind of don't want that > to happen). I've taught at Y since 2000. I feel > attached to it. > > I have considered the possibility that I am being a > "lenient part timer" at school Y, but I really don't > think so. If anything, when I sit down to grade the > work of those students I am more likely to be in a > negative frame of mind (the students at school Y are > VERY immature and behave badly in class). The fact > is they generally do better on the MC/objective > sections of my tests than school X students. > > I am discussing this with my department head. I have > considered going to closed book exams at school Y. > She suggests using a curve. > > It seems unfair to me to do things differently at > school Y just because they do better. They may be > poorly behaved, but they are generally pretty > bright. > > I am just looking for thoughtful opinions and > guidance. I really believe I am being honest with > myself and portraying this fairly. Thanks for your > help. > > Nancy Melucci > Long Beach CA > www.kiva.org - check it out! > > > > ------------------------------------------------ > > The Famous, the Infamous, the Lame - in your > browser. Get the TMZ Toolbar Now! > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
