But what if the four mid-term tests that act as motivators weren't graded either?
Rick Dr. Rick Froman, Chair Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Box 3055 x7295 [email protected] http://tinyurl.com/DrFroman Proverbs 14:15 "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." From: Christopher D. Green [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 11:57 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] globeandmail.com: Professor makes his mark, but it costs him his job It is interesting that you say that. My experience has been somewhat different. I have never marked the weekly assignments in my stats course, mainly because there isn't sufficient teaching assistance to do so given my class size, but also because I think it gives students an opportunity to do some guided work without every mistake they make ending up in their final grade. Instead, I have the teaching assistant simply go over the assignment at the start of the next class. I cannot tell you what proportion of them do the assignments (though nearly all of them turn up to hear the TA each week). Their "motivation" is mainly that I tell them that the four tests throughout the year will prove rather difficult unless they have had the practice of the assignments (at a minimum). Those who don't believe me often get a shock when their first midterm test arrives and usually change their behavior. (And what of those few who are able to navigate my tests without taking the assignments seriously? More power to them.) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
