I would move on. They are responsible for their own learning. Presumably, they could have asked questions if they were having trouble. I think bending over backwards will only reward their behavior and reinforce that there aren't really any bad consequences if we blow this course off. I would let the grades stand and remind them that this material will be tested again in the final. Tough love? :-) --Mike
--- On Sun, 10/12/08, DeVolder Carol L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: DeVolder Carol L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [tips] What would YOU do? To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> Date: Sunday, October 12, 2008, 10:19 AM I recently gave an exam in my 300-level Brain and Behavior class, and my students bombed it. I mean really bombed it--every last one of them. For various reasons that don't matter, I do take the blame for it. I have been distracted and not doing a good job of teaching the course. That doesn't excuse the students from reading the text and knowing the material; it's basic but important stuff such as action potentials, lobes and their function, etc., but it can be difficult without help. My question is this: This particular exam is worth 20% of their grade; they have 2 more exams, a paper, and activities, each worth 20% of their grade (the activities sum to 20%). How can I correct for my part of their lousy performance? I feel we need to move on (the semester is nearing its midpoint), but I don't want them to go away from this course without understanding the material. Should I repeat coverage of the material and retest them? Should I give them a take-home assignment over it? Should I discard this test and work the material into their activities? I've never really had this happen before (thank goodness) and I don't want the students to suffer from my lousy job of teaching. What would others do? Thanks, Carol Carol L. DeVolder, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Chair, Department of Psychology St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 Phone: --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
