Interesting point David--I've gone back and forth on this in both my mind and in the assignments--more short papers versus one long paper.
Here is the trade off I keep coming back to: with the long paper students need to learn to integrate information and to transition between and connect their thoughts. No matter how much I emphasize the critical thinking in the short papers, I don't think they learn the other skill of integration and connection. On the other hand, the longer papers do tend to show somewhat less critical evaluation of single papers. AND they are easier to grade ;) Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- Original message ---- >Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:41:36 -0400 >From: David Wasieleski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [tips] question about paper assignments >To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <tips@acsun.frostburg.edu> > > Carol: > In recent years I have significantly changed my > approach to written assignments. I have gone to > shorter assignments of greater frequency. Most are > 2-3 page, double spaced reaction papers designed to > emphasize critical thinking. I also have gone to a > "4 of 6" approach where there are six assignments, > and students must turn in 4 of them (that way I tell > them I can not accept late papers at all!). If they > turn in MORE than 4, I keep the four highest grades > and drop the 1 or 2 lowest. I end up with fewer > assignments to grade at any one time, and the papers > are less painfully long to read for me and to write > for them. > David > > At 03:37 PM 3/27/2008, you wrote: > > I'm curious about typical paper assignments for a > 300-level course. What do you all do in terms of > length, number of references, etc.? > > Thanks for your help as always, > Carol > > Carol L. DeVolder, Ph.D. > Professor of Psychology > Chair, Department of Psychology > St. Ambrose University > 518 West Locust Street > Davenport, Iowa 52803 > > Phone: 563-333-6482 > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > web: > http://web.sau.edu/psychology/psychfaculty/cdevolder.htm > > The contents of this message are confidential and > may not be shared with anyone without permission > of the sender. > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > > David T. Wasieleski, Ph.D. > Professor > Department of Psychology and Counseling > Valdosta State University > Valdosta, GA 31698 > 229-333-5620 > http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dtwasieleski > > "The only thing that ever made sense in my life > is the sound of my little girl laughing through the > window on a summer night... > Just the sound of my little girl laughing > makes me happy just to be alive..." > --Everclear > "Song from an American Movie" > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
