Vignette 1: What's the Right Mark?

Question 1 - How and when do I share the learning outcomes and evaluation criteria with students?
I agreed with what Ms Emerson was doing for her class by having a course outline prepared for her students at the beginning of the year. I would have a course outline prepared for my students that shared the learning outcomes and the evaluation criteria I would be using. I give this to my students at the beginning of the year so they knew what was expected of them and what they needed to do to succeed in the course. I think it would help relieve some anxiety on their part knowing up front what is going to happen throughout the year. I think by giving this information out at the beginning of the year it can solve a lot of problems and disagreements that may crop up.


Question 2 - How do my students know how to succeed in my class?
By stating the learning outcomes and evaluation criteria, my students would have the information they need to succeed. They would know what the breakdown of the course is and what makes up the different portions of each component. The given information would let them know how to succeed rather then making them guess or figuring it out as I went along.


Question 3 - How can I improve the way I establish fixed achievement targets for my students?
First off I am not exactly sure what is meant by fixed achievement targets. I think it means the components that are predefined in what you are going to mark students on and the weighting you are going to give each of the areas. Maybe one way to improve these areas is to give them more choice or ways that you can mark them. Instead of having a grade for tests, assignments and quizzes maybe include a project. As a teacher the more ways students are assessed the better you understand what they have learned.