For my upper division cognition class, one week before the exam I give the
students a list of about 8 essay questions. These are conceptually based
questions that typically require the students to relate empirical results to
theories. On the day of the exam I pick three of the questions. Although
it is a bit of hand holding, I find this approach lets the students see how
I want the material conceptualized. Since they really don't know what to
expect on the first exam it helps that way as well.
If the students spend the time to work out the answers they should have no
problems with the essay portion of the exam (40% of the exam is short
answers). Every semester I get exams back where entire essay questions are
either left blank or contain some on the spot stream of consciousness.
The only extra credit I give in that class is if student's attend an on
campus lecture that is related to the course. I do that, not so much to
help the students, to provide a respectable attendance at the presentation.
Gary J. Klatsky, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Oswego State University of NY http://www.oswego.edu/~klatsky
Oswego, NY 13126 Voice: (315) 312 3474
-----Original Message-----
From: Molly Straight [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2000 12:14 AM
To: Annette Taylor; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: extra credit studying?
I agree. I just graded a midterm exam (5 chapters) in Abnormal. I did the
idea where I allowed them a 3X5 notecard with whatever they needed on it.
You should have seen how small some of the writing was! Amazing. I also gave
them a study guide with vocabulary and key concepts for the exam. I gave
them choices of what questions to answer on the essay and listing questions
(for example, choose 2 out of 3 to answer). Well, I had 7 A's, 5 B's, 2 C's
and 2 F's. One student who is a PA student here and very anxious about his
grades, got a C. Even with being able to bring his own notes! What that
tells me is that he is not able to feret out the concepts from the lectures
and text. And he is in big trouble if he can't do that in college.
Molly Straight, MA
Adjunct Lecturer of Psychology
Alderson-Broaddus College
Philippi, WV
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Annette Taylor" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: extra credit studying?
> Well, I am bound to get a bunch of negative feedback for my
> highly unpopular stance I am about to take--and have in the past.
>
> Maybe those who are trying really, really hard and just not getting
> it are among those maybe have selected the wrong path for them in
> life--i.e., perhaps they would be better off in a more technical
> program.
>
> This is not to be pejorative but college is not for everyone.
> There is a certain amount of ability to think in the abstract that
> is required and expected and assumed to be present in those who have
> completed college. That is what it is all about. most of my students
> who try and try and try and just can't do it are those who just can't
> do the abstract work.
>
> I would kindly suggest that perhaps they need to reassess their
> goals/plans and paths for achieving those. Personally, I have two
> step-daughters, both of whom have AA level degrees in nursing (both
> with RNs) and both are VERY happy with what they are doing in life
> and both are make tons more money than I am.....so i want to emphasize
> that it is not a negative put down that someone is not 'college material'.
>
> for psych majors, who largely are drawn to the major because they like
> to "help" people there are a myriad of technical professions in the
> medical field that can provide an excellent outlet for such ambitions
> and goals, without the need for a 4-year degree.
>
> but honestly, if they are really trying and just can't do it, then
> I think the bottom line is they need to reassess all their options
> rather than think about extra credit, etc.
>
> annette
>
>
>
> On Mon, 16 Oct 2000, Linda Walsh wrote:
>
> > Dear Tipsters,
> > I'm once again looking for something to help students who truly seem to
be
> > trying but not succeeding in class. After Test 1 we spent a good deal of
time
> > talking about study techniques and self-testing, but test 2 did not show
much
> > improvement. I have a vague recollection of either a TOP article or TIPS
entry
> > on someone's "extra credit" assignment which, as I recall, included
turning in
> > detailed notes on lecture, book, and study questions etc. for the
remainder of
> > the semester, never missing another class, and other "perfect" study
skill
> > behavior. Does this sound familiar to any of you before I hit the
databases?
> > Linda Walsh
> > University of Northern Iowa
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
>
> Annette Taylor, Ph. D.
> Department of Psychology E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> University of San Diego Voice: (619) 260-4006
> 5998 Alcala Park
> San Diego, CA 92110
>
> "Education is one of the few things a person
> is willing to pay for and not get."
> -- W. L. Bryan
>
>
>
