MAILING LISTS

On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 10:18 AM, Edward A Bell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

 Tim:
> We encountered the same problem with our TBL course (120 students).  We
> then instituted a policy that students must achieve 70% average on
> individual exams for the group work grades to factor into the final grade.


Unlikely, I know, but what happens if the group work grades are worse than
the individual grades? Does the student have a choice about accepting the
"weight" of the group on his or her final grade? Tim seemed concerned that
an individual not benefit unduly from a group's success? Does the same hold
true if the group doesn't perform well?


> Now, if a student does not achieve a 70% average on exams, then the group
> scores do not factor in, and the course grade is based only on the
> individual exam scores.


Assuming students see this policy on the syllabus at the start of the
semester, might they see this as  TBL "escape clause," and decide not to
commit themselves to the group up front if they feel they can get out of it
on the back end.

Ed: Don't get me wrong: I like the policy. Just playing devil's advocate a
bit.

Thx,

John

-- 
John Fritz
Asst. VP, Instructional Technology & New Media
UMBC Division of Information Technology
410.455.6596 | [log in to unmask] | www.umbc.edu/oit/itnm