On Wed, 20 Sep 2000 15:15:30 -0400 "Michael J. Kane"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 2-part question, based on the following (too true) premise:
>
> I just gave the first exam of a Cognitive Psychology course, which consisted of
> multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The class includes many 1st and
> 2nd year students, with a smattering of 3rd and 4th year students. Based on
> percent-correct scores, my grade distribution breaks down as follows:
> A's: 11%
> B's: 11%
> C's: 11%
> D's: 18%
> F's: 50%
>
> Yikes. Clearly, some students performed admirably, but many others did
> not. So here
Mike:
Generally I am opposed to curving grades, especially in this
case. It suggests to the F-students that you will back down and
assign them acceptable grades whatever their performance. It
suggests to the A-students that their hard work and attention in
class was for naught and, instead, they should strive to be just
a little better than the pack. It suggests to all students that
you are uncertain about your standards, or are willing to
compromise under difficult circumstances. (In local parlance, a
"pud.")
As to fairness, that is a different issue. If you are sure this
was a "fair" evaluation then I would go into class and be honest
and direct with the students.
Generally, I take a criterion approach to these situations. I
tell them there is a certain level of knowledge I expect them to
have acquired. They didn't achieve it on this test, but they
did see what was expected of them. Depending on the context and
the course, I give them a second opportunity to demonstrate
their success. This may be to rewrite a paper or to take
another exam on the topic. However, if they are satisfied with
their grade then they do not have to do anything. (And many are
satisfied with a C or a D in a course since they are just
cruising through college.)
I have found that almost all students understand this approach
and consider it "fair."
Good luck.
Ken (getting ready to return some methods papers that received
poor grades)
> Thanks much!
>
> -Mike
> ************************************************
> Michael J. Kane
> Department of Psychology
> P.O. Box 26164
> University of North Carolina at Greensboro
> Greensboro, NC 27402-6164
> email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> phone: 336-256-1022
> fax: 336-334-5066
>
----------------------
Kenneth M. Steele [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dept. of Psychology
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608
USA
