Submitted by Sue (not verified) on October 2, 2007 - 18:30.
I teach in a middle school where we have been required by our principal to do on-line grading for the past two years. I have been teaching for many years and it was difficult to change. Very difficult. You are correct in saying that the assignment information needs to be there also. It has turned out to be avery positive thing now. However, there are two things that continue to worry me. One, it makes the grading system less interactive. By that I mean that since the machine calculates so much of it, the teacher needs to make a concentrated effort to review how each child is really doing. Also, the parents often become the one responsible for getting things turned in and finished instead of the student. I have worked for years to make my middle school students responsible for their own learning and turning in assignments etc. These are just two potential problems. I am mostly in favor of the on-line grading now and it does increase communication with those families who use it well. There are also less surprises and parents and students both like have the print out in black and white available. For those just now switching over: It's not a matter of if, but when and how. This is the future. Don't try to keep both gradebooks, just do it on line and print it out often if you are paranoid.
On-line grades.
Submitted by Sue (not verified) on October 2, 2007 - 18:30.
I teach in a middle school where we have been required by our principal to do on-line grading for the past two years. I have been teaching for many years and it was difficult to change. Very difficult. You are correct in saying that the assignment information needs to be there also. It has turned out to be avery positive thing now. However, there are two things that continue to worry me. One, it makes the grading system less interactive. By that I mean that since the machine calculates so much of it, the teacher needs to make a concentrated effort to review how each child is really doing. Also, the parents often become the one responsible for getting things turned in and finished instead of the student. I have worked for years to make my middle school students responsible for their own learning and turning in assignments etc. These are just two potential problems. I am mostly in favor of the on-line grading now and it does increase communication with those families who use it well. There are also less surprises and parents and students both like have the print out in black and white available. For those just now switching over: It's not a matter of if, but when and how. This is the future. Don't try to keep both gradebooks, just do it on line and print it out often if you are paranoid.