One thing that I think about occasionally is the way in which we mark student work. Let's imagine that we get an assignment created by a student over a four-week period and it is really, really good. It is as good as we could possibly expect.
The student hands it in and we academics look at it.
What mark do we award? 70%? 75%?? 82%??? Has anyone ever marked at 85%???? Anyone ever marked at 90%? What about 95%?
Does 100% exist?
Now then, to turn to the matter of Chris Bliss, talent-spotted by Maura Brooks of Leeds and also seen on Disappearing World.
Chris gets nearly 8.5 million hits, and nearly 6.5 thousand ratings. His average score = 4.5/5 i.e. 90%.
So where did the other 10% go? How good do you have to be?
Sharpen up, Chris! Keep trying.
5 comments:
Well Peter, I am sure you will have the cahnce with the 00AET blog . LOL
Chris Bliss - could improve. Lacks technique. Literature review is half-baked. 56%
The Beatles - Abbey Road. Lacks coherence. Were all members of the team playing an equal part, or were they leaving it all to poor Mr McCartney? Referencing is poor. 54%
In the wake of assignment season this is an interesting thought. What occurs to me is what is actually being marked? When dealing with conceptual work to give 100% would suggest that either this is the maxium that could be acheived in the context of the assignment (does that mean the marker would need to be sure that nobody could ever do better?) or that it means the student has achieved all that could be asked of them, any improvement on this is irrelevant for the purpose of grade?
Also what of the marker? In areas of judgment and conceptual thinking who has the monopoly on deciding the 100%? Perhaps then the scale is a concession to the premise that once a student has acheived the highest level of undestanding, it is then a matter of judgment and perception as to what grade should be given, the 100% is therefore by definition not achievable given the infinate nature of the study, but sets a framework of reference.
That said, not averse to controversy so lets see what happens with a 100% grade!
You are quite clearly a brilliant lawyer, Mr Maw. I might especially go out and commit a crime as I have little doubt that you could prove me innocent.
Well done last night & to all bloggers.
Oh dear - off to put my head in a bucket peter. A lawyer is precisely the mind set that I am trying to break free of! Have re-read my entry and there is no disguising it - the shame of it all!
BTW - flattered by your confidence but not sure criminality is the way to go....
Thanks for the course - great fun and v. helpful.
Post a Comment