Spring Break
Grading system based on more than just effort
Course objectives are used when determining grade
Jessica Leggin/Campus Editor
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
Students who put effort toward specific class projects and written assignments might feel entitled to receive a good grade at the end of the semester.
Some might not know that hard work comes along with other guidelines and expectations that must be fulfilled in order to receive the highest grade.
Letitia Moffitt, professor of English, said when it comes to grading, students should pay attention to the course objectives laid out in a syllabus they receive from their professors.
"Grading is based on how that student meets that goal in the syllabus," she said. "You are not being graded on your effort, but the fulfillment of those objectives."
Jessica Morrison, a senior English major, said course objectives in the syllabus are beneficial when it comes to understanding what is expected in the class.
"It's important to glance at it once in awhile," she said. "It definitely contributes to the grade because if the teacher didn't give you that, how lost you would be."
Moffitt said when it comes to her creative writing class, every assignment will not be graded.
"You're not taking this class to get graded on, but to learn certain skills," she said. "Sometimes I have my students do journal assignments that are not graded. If you are not graded, you are freed up and are willing to try new things."
Moffitt said when students in her class do the journal assignments they are completing an objective in her class.
"To get the 'A' you fulfill the objectives," she said. "An 'A' is what it is. It is a combination of effort and results fulfilling the objectives."
Hank Davis, a professor of business, said he thinks students get evaluated on outcome, not input.
"That is because you can't observe input," he said. "You can only observe output."
Davis said it is an individual not a collective perspective when it comes to effort.
"Someone can say I studied for five hours on this assignment so I have worked hard while the other can say I worked 20 hours," he said.
Davis said when it comes to grading there are always different perceptions on how a professor grades its students.
"One complaint I hear from students are that grades are subjective," he said. "Really, the university is paying for my subjective expertise. That is different than saying it is biased."
Davis said grading is biased when students are graded on other things outside of a course syllabus.
"If the grade in your class is graded on something else not systematically in the syllabus then that is biased," he said.
Taylor Rakers, a senior economics major, said he thinks most professors on this campus are fair when it comes to grading.
"They are a lot better than other universities in my opinion," he said.
Rakers said if students want the highest grade they need to put forth effort but also make sure the professor sees what they have learned.
"It will help when the professor knows you know the material by participation," he said.
Davis said he feels many people are not honest with themselves when it comes to the grades they think they worked so hard for.
"It's natural," he said. "It is a human emotion. When we don't work enough it is easier to blame others."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
Some might not know that hard work comes along with other guidelines and expectations that must be fulfilled in order to receive the highest grade.
Letitia Moffitt, professor of English, said when it comes to grading, students should pay attention to the course objectives laid out in a syllabus they receive from their professors.
"Grading is based on how that student meets that goal in the syllabus," she said. "You are not being graded on your effort, but the fulfillment of those objectives."
Jessica Morrison, a senior English major, said course objectives in the syllabus are beneficial when it comes to understanding what is expected in the class.
"It's important to glance at it once in awhile," she said. "It definitely contributes to the grade because if the teacher didn't give you that, how lost you would be."
Moffitt said when it comes to her creative writing class, every assignment will not be graded.
"You're not taking this class to get graded on, but to learn certain skills," she said. "Sometimes I have my students do journal assignments that are not graded. If you are not graded, you are freed up and are willing to try new things."
Moffitt said when students in her class do the journal assignments they are completing an objective in her class.
"To get the 'A' you fulfill the objectives," she said. "An 'A' is what it is. It is a combination of effort and results fulfilling the objectives."
Hank Davis, a professor of business, said he thinks students get evaluated on outcome, not input.
"That is because you can't observe input," he said. "You can only observe output."
Davis said it is an individual not a collective perspective when it comes to effort.
"Someone can say I studied for five hours on this assignment so I have worked hard while the other can say I worked 20 hours," he said.
Davis said when it comes to grading there are always different perceptions on how a professor grades its students.
"One complaint I hear from students are that grades are subjective," he said. "Really, the university is paying for my subjective expertise. That is different than saying it is biased."
Davis said grading is biased when students are graded on other things outside of a course syllabus.
"If the grade in your class is graded on something else not systematically in the syllabus then that is biased," he said.
Taylor Rakers, a senior economics major, said he thinks most professors on this campus are fair when it comes to grading.
"They are a lot better than other universities in my opinion," he said.
Rakers said if students want the highest grade they need to put forth effort but also make sure the professor sees what they have learned.
"It will help when the professor knows you know the material by participation," he said.
Davis said he feels many people are not honest with themselves when it comes to the grades they think they worked so hard for.
"It's natural," he said. "It is a human emotion. When we don't work enough it is easier to blame others."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
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