John Blake Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

51 ways to reduce your out-of-class marking

Overview

• Background – situation, problem

• Method

• Results – 51 practical suggestions

02

Background

My situation

• Started in 1999 - Teaching academic writing to university students in Hong Kong

My problem

• 3 assessments & 3 mocks (500 words each)

• 20 students x 15 classes

• 6 x 300 x 500 words = 900,000 words +

03

Method

• Interviewees identified

• Semi-structured informal interviews or focus groups held

• Suggestions coded by primary purpose

• Coded suggestions categorised

04

• 100 experienced teachers of writing

• 80% University / 20% High school teachers

• In Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand

• Over five years

Method: subjects

05

Results

# Purpose1 Fewer submissions

2 Fewer words3 Less variation4 Fewer errors

5 Higher quality submissions

06

Results

# Purpose6 Checking in class time

7 Fewer & shorter comments8 Harnessing technology9 Investing time upfront to

reduce time spent later10 Avoidance

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OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES1. Fewer submissions

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• Pair or group work submissions• Elective and compulsory

submissions• Set strict deadlines for homework

completion.

2. Fewer words

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• Strict word or line limits• Time limits

3. Less variation

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• Use a template answer form • Fix font, size, margin & spacing• Set classes similar tasks

3. Less variation –example instructions to student

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You must:

1. Place your name, your student number and the title in the header (view – header footer)2. Use the font called Times New Roman, size 12 (go to toolbar)3. Single-space your essay (Microsoft default)4. Submit one copy5. Include the word count (tools – word count) at the end (It should be between 700-800 words)6. Staple together the pages of each essay with one staple in the top left corner. Do not put the essay in a folder, file or binder.

QUALITY CONTROL STRATEGIES4. Fewer errors

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• Self check • Peer check

- e.g. Read aloud- e.g. Checklist

• Technology check

QUALITY CONTROL STRATEGIES4. Fewer errors – technology check

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`common error detector ` (Morrall, 2010).

5. Higher quality submissions

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• Provide models or templates• Set rewriting tasks• Half finished translations• Distribute a hate-list • Request colour-coded essays.

5. Higher quality submissions –problem paragraph template

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Topic Topic sentence The main problem that FFF faces is the difficulty of GGG. AAA and BBB pose tremendous obstacles.

Elaboration Sub-problem 1 Although AAA is an onerous task, it is not insurmountable.Description: Explanation: XXX resulted from AAAExample: XXX is a case in pointSub-problem 2 The next hurdle is one which may [verb]Description:, Explanation: XXX stems from AAAExample: For instance, XXX is a case in pointSub-problem 3 The final challenge is possibly more daunting: VVVingDescription: Explanation: XXX is caused by AAAExample: XXX.exemplifies this point.

5. Higher quality submissions –hate list

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Hate list items: “someone says…”

• Many people, however, are opposed to the idea of ________ because…

• Some people however oppose the idea (of….ing), arguing that ….

• A strong objection to the idea, however, is the fact that…

5. Higher quality submissions –colour coded submission

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The objective of time management is to use our limited time in a more effective and efficiency way in order to achieve our goal. As Holden (2009,p.12) states, one of the main characteristic of time management is to “concentrate on results, not on being busy.” Some people, who have not well managed their time, spend their all day time and work very hard to do just a little and irrelevant things. It may be due to lack of a well planning and schedules. However, if we know what we should do in these few hours, how much time we should spend on this jobs, what is the next tasks we should do, it probably enhance our working speed and save our time.

FEEDBACK STRATEGIES6. Check in class

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• Use transparencies and OHP• Use A3-size paper and walls• Use projector to display emailed

submissions• Use class time when students

are busy

7. Fewer and shorter comments

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• Use a timer • Only correct key errors• Only indicate location of error –

line, phrase or word • Use a correction code

7. Fewer and shorter comments -examples

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The are three main issue.The are three main issues.The are three main issue.The are three main issue. *The are three main issue. AgThe are three main issue. Ag

8. Harness technology

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• Use track changes• Use insert comment function• Use the spike function • Program autocorrect feature• Create a JavaScript program

8. Harness technology –JavaScript program

22Developed my Andy Morrall at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

8. Harness technology –JavaScript program

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EAP AssignmentAu Wai Man, PhilipDepartment of Applied MathematicsGrade: DContentRelevance:Your content was of very limited relevance. To improve your ability in this area you need to work on the following:• you gave a definition that was unnecessary. Only define things that you

think that your reader will not understand. For more information, see pages 33 - 54 in 'Academic Writing Course'.

• you contrasted things that are very different. It is only necessary to contrast things that you think the reader will not know the difference between. For more information see page 51 in 'Study Writing'.

9. Invest time upfront

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• Create one task-specific general feedback sheet for each class

• Create a general feedback video• Create a general feedback sheet.

9. Invest time upfront –task specific class feedback

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RegisterThere are a number of words which can be classed as informal. Some examples of these taken from your assessment are given below. Find suitable formal replacements for them.

1. Thanks to…….. 2. Now3. So 4. but5. more and more 6. very very7. a lot 8. big

9. Invest time upfront –general feedback sheet

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1, 2, 18, 193,4,6,

5,20, 216,

7,8,9,22,23

10,11,12

14,15,16,1713

AVOIDANCE STRATEGIES10. Avoid marking any way possible

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• Avoid writing courses• Give only grade• Claim submitted work is for

analysis not returning• Create barriers to collecting

work

Any questions?

johnb@jaist.ac.jp