Abolish Grades? I Don't Think So

» christophersmith - Your grading tips can cause serious problems

To say I was slightly shocked by your grading tips would be an underestimate. Your advice that students use their work in more than one course is a very dangerous tip, indeed.

I know first-hand of a student who received a failing grade in both courses when he attempted to give two presentations that had the same slideshow, regardless of the fact that his oral presentation was tailored specifically to each course. It seems that the Psychology and English Lit. professors knew each other fairly well, and consulted each other on the "stunning" presentation one of their students had given. When they realized that the stunning presentation was given by the same student, and was indeed the same slideshow on the two very similar assignments, he was given an F in both assignments.

While I don't think it is possible to plagiarize from yourself, the professor's both asserted that he had cheated by submitting the same assignment to more than one course.

I find your confession of doing the same very telling. Indeed, the old adage "It isn't wrong unless you get caught" seems to apply here. I suggest you be more careful in the future with your so-called advice for the successful.

-- posted by christophersmith

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» FloraBFINE - Grades and Shady Behavior

Dear Christopher,

I'm very happy that you read my article with interest and thanks for your advice on being more cautious about giving tips.

You're absolutely right that this strategy can backfire when a student turns in the same assignment to two teachers who perceive it as cheating. Although some teachers won't agree, it is not unethical to use the same body of research to create two different assignment. Writers are advised all the time to do this. As a matter of fact, when you sell first rights to a publication it just means that they get to publish it first. After that, the writer may resell it as is or revise it for future sales.

If a student completes a creative original work and it meets the objectives of the assignment, shouldn't the work be judged on its merits. If the two teachers in question thought the work was outstanding (which means the student followed instructions and met the objectives) before they compared notes, why was the assignment still not outstanding afterwards? I don't get it.

-- posted by FloraBFINE

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