Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work

1. Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work Agnieszka Miguel* Eric Larson# *Electrical and Computer Engineering Department #Computer Science and Software Engineering Department Seattle University

2. Why Do We Grade? • To assess student learning with respect to the course objectives and outcomes. • Effective grading provides to the students: • a measure how well they comprehend the course material, • an opportunity to learn from past mistake, • motivation to learn even more when accompanied by a constructivefeedback. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

3. Efficient Grading? • Grading takes time! • How can we make the grading process more efficient while remaining constructive and fair to the students? • Optimization problem: • maximize student learning while minimizing the grading time. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

4. Types of Student Work • Problems: • solve a particular question (numerical answer). • Computer programming assignments: • MATLAB, C++, or Java, • functionality, design, style. • Writing assignments: • small paper, lab report, or a large proposal. • Projects: • upper-level electives, senior design courses, • proposals, design documents, posters, presentations, final reports, teamwork. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

5. Grading Exam Problems • Design exams with grading in mind: • clear and concise directions, • limitedoptions how to solve the problem. • Develop a grading strategy: • grade one question for all students before moving onto the next one, • use two passes: • correct the problem and write comments, • assign points in a consistent way, • sort problems according to the solution. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

6. Grading Exam Problems • Create a consistentpartialcredit policy: • assign points for the process of solving the question (ex. 80%) and for the correct numerical answer (ex. 20%), • use a grading sheet for point deductions/additions, • use the lowest number of grading levels that allows you to achieve an accurate assessment of student learning. • Use multiple step questions effectively: • consider splitting dependent questions into two separate problems. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

7. Grading Exam Problems • Use multiple choice questions effectively: • require a couple of sentences to defend the answer. • Improve the clarity of student work: • communicating proper problem solving methods, • enforce a standard for the clarity of presentation, • include blank pages, box for the final answer. • Make the final exam optional: • the final exam can only help the grade, not hurt it. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

8. Grading Homework Problems • Use quizzes instead of homework assignments. • Grade only a subset of problems. • Decide how strictly homework assignments are graded. • Find a good textbook: • broad selection of end-of-chapter problems, • numerical answers to some questions, • numerous examples of fully solved problems, • solutions manual with correct and detailed solutions. • Consider listing numerical answers to all or some of the problems. • Encourage neatly written homework. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

9. Grading Writing Assignments • Require standardized style for design documents. • Require only one formal report that is graded thoroughly. • Use frequent smaller writing assignments. • Use rubrics: • clearly communicate to students what is expected, • make grading consistent and objective. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

10. Rubric Example

11. Grading Projects • Break down projects into parts and give feedback on each part: • familiarizes students with the process of dividing their projects into tasks. • Make each individualaccountable in team projects: • require weekly status updates (status reports, time sheets, meetings, or a project notebook). • Get input from other sources: • panel grading of project reports or presentations. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

12. Grading Computer Programs • Automated grading: • use a series of tests to grade program functionality, • encourages students to test their programs before turning them in. • Grade style by looking at a portion of the source code. • Use rubrics to grade style. • Let students find their own errors: • do not debug their code! • allow them to hand in corrected version to earn some points back. • Require other submission material such as a test suite or a design document. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

13. Student Feedback • Why is feedback important? • motivates students, • builds their confidence, • encourages further learning, • informs students that they lackknowledge or skills in a particular topic, • notifies them what improvement is expected by the end of the quarter. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

14. Student Feedback • Go over answers in class. • Provide a handout with solutions. • Hand back a feedback sheet/rubric. • Ask students to see the instructor. • Skip feedback on the final exam. • Restrict options for grading disputes: • require the students to consult the solutions handout first, • only allow a limited time for grading disputes. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

15. General Tips • Hire a teaching assistant or a grader: • ask them to grade homework and lab assignments, but not exams, • establish clear expectations with regard to the quality of the TA’s work and rules for grading (and monitor it closely), • ask the TA to solve the exam questions in advance. • Find a grading environment and schedule that works well for you. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

16. Conclusions • Thinkaboutgrading before handing out the assignment. • Clearly convey your expectations and grading criteria. • Experiment! ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel

17. Acknowledgements • Professors Adair Dingle, Jeffrey Gilles, Jean M. Jacoby, David Joslin, Mike Larson, Alvin Moser, Paul Neudorfer, Susan Reeder, and Margarita Takach (Seattle University) • Professors Richard Ladner, James Peckol, Mani Soma (University of Washington). • Eddy Ferre, the former Teaching Assistant at the University of Washington. ASEE 2006 Efficient and Effective Grading of Student Work A. Miguel