No, we have not been asked to evaluate this class yet, but I’m gonna. I LOVED this class. Everything about it was great: the resources, the synchronous meetings every Tuesday, my fantastic and brave colleagues, the posting, the commenting, the mentors, our brilliant and tolerant and generous instructor, everything.
Except the marking (we say “grading” in the U.S., but same thing).
We’ve got assessments, yes indeed: http://eci831.wikispaces.com/Assessments . Sans rubric, but we got ‘em. And Alec is great at feedback, in comments and Twitter and meetings — just having him put my post in a wiki page or laud it on Twitter was enough to make me smile.
But, man, what’s my grade? how’d I do? where could I improve? what should I do next now that the class is over? how did I do on one element versus another? were there times when I should have switched gears?
I was raised in that “get an A” culture. Do a task, get a mark. If I had been doing poorly, I think I would have gotten an email from the instructor. (I don’t think I would have heard it from my colleagues without some kind of formal peer review process — we were all busy being supportive of each other.)
I know, I know, the whole idea of open education was to get away from marking and that kind of thing. But this is a graduate-level class where there will be a grade at the end, and where tasks counted for specific weights. I don’t mind working beyond my comfort zone (duh), and I did it without belly-aching all the way through, and it really is my only only only concern, and I know I shouldn’t be hung up on performance, and maybe it’s just ego, but ….
What’s my grade?
You have accurately captured how I have been feeling the last week or so. It is a bit nerve wracking not having any idea of what my grade might be. Like you said, I know I should not be hung up on this but it is difficult not to think about.
Isn’t it funny that we want our own students to not worry about grades and to focus on improvement rather than a mark… yet here we sit… all worried about our grade! I am feeling the same way as both you and Jen.
I’m wondering if this is standard in online courses as this is my second course that I have not known any “grades” before the end of class. I am, however, feeling more confident than my last course because, as you pointed out, Alec is great at offering feedback. My last online course was quite discouraging as the only feedback I was every given was my final grade. I do not know how that mark was calcuated. I got no feedback on any assignments, including my final major paper. After my last experience, however, I will be happy to get a final mark, and a breakdown of how that mark was calculated
I, like you, have learned so much this semester and am proud of my accomplishments. I have put forth effort, even though I didn’t have a “mark”. I keep telling myself that the mark doesn’t matter, my learning matters. But… I also grew up in a world where marks were valued and I can’t seem to convince myself that the mark doesnt matter so I’m with you
What’s my grade?
While there isn’t a “standard” for online classes, I teach a number of them at the undergraduate level, and mine have 7 quizzes with individual feedback on the essays, weekly forum posts with me responding to the group, two self-assessments with individual feedback, plus a final exam!
I find it appalling that you got no feedback during an online class — that’s not teaching, to my mind. And you’re right — thank goodness (and Alec) that’s not the issue here.
Method behind my madness revealed in tonight’s session … although I think you’ve already caught on. Ultimately, I can only hope that your grade/mark will be in line with what you expected it to be.
I feel very gravatar-less.
I gave you an identi squiggle. I’m not sure why you aren’t getting gravatarred.
Thanks – I feel better – wondering if I’ll be gravatar-ed now.
nope. I thought i may have fixed it. identiti squiggle it is.
Does one lose gravitas without a gravatar?
I fear that is the case.
I totally agree on the question, what’s the grade?
)
I award you a G.
For guru
Interestingly enough it has been my husband who has been asking me what my grade is. He is having more difficulty with it than me when it comes to this. He wants to know how I am doing. I think that the biggest difference is that I know how I am doing, so I am not worried about it. I know how large my learning curve has been. I see the benefit and the relevance of how the learning has affected my daily practice and so I’m OK with it. Thanks to all of you for adding to the challenge.
Hi Lisa,
I can appreciate your comments about the ‘final grade’ for this course. I must admit, I have been hugely motivated by grades in the past. I have adopted a much different perspective in more recent years, however. I put much value on lifelong learning, the process of learning, regular reflective practice, response to feedback, and personal/professional growth. I think the structure of the ECI831 course with Alec’s feedback, feedback from mentors, and regular comments and constructive criticism from classmates has allowed for these factors to take place.