Was there a rubric for Exam 2? It seems to me like you expected either (1) certain things to be talked about or (2) answers to be explained in ways, which weren’t actually noted in the question. In other words, it seems you expected more than that for which the questions were asking. Also, if you could explain how you came up with the grades you did, I would really appreciate it (i.e. a rubric, if one exists).
Unrelated, I got my reaction paper back for Arable Farming, etc. by Andrew Patterson with the response “This needs to be redone. There’s no discussion of agriculture.” I was a bit perplexed by this… I had assumed that the only requirement for the reaction paper was to be my reaction to the article (which this was). If there were further requirements I was unaware of, it would have been nice to have been told of them at the beginning of the semester rather than a month from the final. Can you shed any light on this?
Thanks,
b
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b,
If you feel you have answered the questions on the exam well and have put forth a good effort, we can discuss your exam. You can make an appointment or come to my office hour.
Regarding reaction papers, I did discuss reaction paper expectations in the beginning of the semester. I informed students that there was much freedom in writing these papers but they would be returned if unacceptable. I did said in class that it had to be about the assigned reading.
For the future. Do not send passive aggressive correspondence to me. I will be happy to address any of your complaints and concerns, but all of our discussions will be respectful.
Neil
~~~
Let me be frank, then.
1. I do feel the previous e-mail was respectful. I’m trying to be as honest as possible while still being polite, and if that doesn’t fulfill your requirements for respect, then I apologize but there’s nothing I can do.
2. The question about the rubric was not meant to be passive-aggressive. The reason I asked was because I didn’t believe I “answered the questions on the exam well”, but that I did in fact deserve more points than I received. As it stands, I can’t logically ask for a better grade because, to be perfectly honest, it seems you graded rather arbitrarily without any sort of rigid guidelines.
3. As far as the reaction paper is concerned, I was there at the beginning of the semester and distinctly remember your saying that the only reasons it would be returned would be if it was incomprehensible or was not in fact a reaction to the reading. In fact, I also remember your saying it could even be stream-of-consciousness-like. I won’t push this further since it makes no difference this point, but if you plan on teaching this class again, I would strongly suggest you put your rigid expectations into the syllabus.
You asked the question in class today whether we had any concerns that your expectations weren’t made clear in regard to the exam. I just wanted to give you my input — I don’t think your expectations have been made clear for the entire semester. You seem to put one thing in written documents (the syllabus, technology presentation info sheet), but then say something completely different in class. I’m not sure if you had simply forgotten what you had typed up earlier or are changing your mind on the spot, but in either case, it’s confusing.
I think I speak for at least a good portion of the class when I say that the reason you’re disappointed with the test grades is because you seem to act casually about the class every single day. If you give the impression that an assignment isn’t a big deal, then students are going to assume that you don’t have high expectations. I truly believe that’s what’s happened here. I’m not making the statement that it’s entirely your fault, but as a sociologist, you can probably understand that your attitudes in-class have a huge influence on students’ commitment to this course.
~b
~~~
b,
I will be happy to discuss any and all of these things in my office or in class.
Neil
~~~
The only thing that I asked that required a response from you was the question about the rubric. Since you still haven’t answered it, I’m just going to assume the answer is no.
The remainder was for your benefit alone, as constructive criticism if you would accept it as such.
~b
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November 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
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