more grading frustrations

So the reason that so many students didn't turn in assignments last week is that they were having email problems. Some tried to email things over and over and over again and it didn't go through.

<sigh>

Unfortunately, I know that my email connection was working all weekend. I've figured out that many of them had issues because they clicked the link on the website, which caused their browser to open up the default email client. I know that my computer is configured to open up the correct email application whenever I click an email link, but I've learned that this is not usually the case with other people.

So that sucks. But they still had my actual email address on the course information sheet.

Normally, with late assignments, I invite them to turn it in for 80% of the original grade. They asked for a compromise in this case, since they really did try and there were so many people who had problems.

So I agreed to 90%. And I lectured on the importance of double- and triple-checking things. And the importance of testing out your email procedures before the day something is due.

I'm sure I will get some angry parents at conference night, but that's just the way it is.

Two things I'm going to do in the future:
1. Take the email link off the website and replace it with my address (spam-proofed)
2. Send out an email receipt for every assignment I receive via email.

And that's how it's going to have to be. These kids really take these points seriously. I saw the fear of God in their eyes today when they found out they were missing assignments. Even when they knew they could make them up. I guess that's good that they are concerned about their welfare, but they were really scared.

I suspect that this is only the beginning of my understanding of the grading process . . .

Posted: Tue - September 30, 2003 at 12:14 PM

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more grading frustrations

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