MAILING LISTS

When I started I would give them one class period to make up the iRAT. I
found that both the students and I spent way too much time and energy
making sure they took or extending it if they were sick or hurt. This was
all for something that only added 5 - 10 points to their final grade.
Since then, shifted my thinking after reading some of Jim's writings.  So
what is the purpose of the iRAT? We are trying to make sure they did the
readings and to prepare them for the T-RAT (the T-RAT is where students
demonstrate their knowledge by explaining to their team mates why they
chose a particular answer).  If a student is absence on the the day of an
iRAT/T-RAT (regardless of the reason), they've missed both opportunities.

So to kill two birds with one stone, I established that the only extra
credit (or make up for missing an iRAT/T-RAT)  is to do an article review.
Students have to do research on the application exercise topic.  If they do
a two page review of a research study (following established format and
rubric), they earn the points equivalent to the iRAT/T-RAT (30-45 points).
They must complete it within the the unit and are encouraged to share the
information with their team.

I use this method because it's the closest thing to a "true make up".  They
can do.  Since they have to research the topic anyway, this merely forces
them to do it more carefully and document it.  They have to think and write
about the topic.  Likewise their team benefits from their increased in
depth knowledge.  As for me I don't mid the extra grading at this level.
Surprisingly very few students actually do this.  They just take the zero.

On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 2:10 PM, James Latham <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
>
> I am implementing TBL into my Economics Courses for the first time next
> Spring. I have not decided how to deal with absences regarding the IRAT. I
> would appreciate any advice anyone may have. Thanks,
>
>
> Michael
>


-- 

Herb Coleman, Ph.D
Dir. Instructional Computing and Technology
Adjunct Professor of Psychology
Austin Community College
Highland Business Center
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.
Austin, TX 78752
[log in to unmask]
512-223-7746
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Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but
that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of
ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and
love. -- Gandalf the Grey from the 2012 motion picture "The Hobbit"

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