Base semester grades on knowledge only
Grades. What exactly is a grade? What is the difference between an A plus and a D minus. To show how much you apply yourself?
That is basically what our grading system is. The D minus student can be the smartest student in the class but if he/she doesn̢۪t apply themselves then that grade will determine his/her knowledge. I don̢۪t believe we are at all being graded on our knowledge in most of our classes.
For example when does attendance incorporate with your knowledge? In most classes if you̢۪re absent a certain amount of times then your grade can in fact drop a whole letter. Even if you have all of your work in and have passed all the test but don̢۪t participate 5% is taken off of your grade.
If we are to be graded then we should only be graded on our knowledge not our attendance, our participation, and not our attending outside community service.
How are we to get into graduate school if we have all D̢۪s because we didn̢۪t raise our hand in class or we couldn̢۪t make it to class because of certain circumstances? This is unacceptable. We pay tuition and for the teachers to teach us and grade us on our knowledge not for anything else. What̢۪s with all the extras?
Rachelle Higgins
Freshman
Undeclared
The problem with student T.A.̢۪s
During my first semester at Fresno State I enrolled in English 5A. On the first day of classes I expected to walk in and find a seasoned professor with tons of knowledge on the subject.
However, a man walked in that looked to be in his early 20̢۪s wearing a t-shirt and a blazer. At first glance I thought he was another student.
Throughout the course it was apparent that he was not properly trained to teach the class. He was unprepared everyday and relied on the students to tell him what the class should do that day. He also was unaware of the schools common policies.
I understand that it is cheaper for the university to have T.A̢۪s teach freshman courses, however, it is not beneficial to the students because at the end of the course only 5 out of the 20 students had passed, and I had learned nothing.
The university can save money and still educate students properly by having a real professor teaching a large freshmen class.
Max Balezentes
Freshman
Criminology
I raise my hand all the time • May 12, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Rachelle…part of raising your hand is to discuss with the profs what you know. If all you do is sit in class you might as well be a rock. Discussion and raising hand and debating is part of grading. I would hate to think that someone like you becomes my doctor or lawyer or any thing for that matter, and when you go out on the job, you dont do or say anything. Can you imagine a patient coming to you and asking for your EDUCATED and PROFESSIONAL opinion and you just expect the patient to read your mind and guess you have some knowledge and wisdom that will help them….the all too powerful to speak, too smart to share, and too good to say anything. Like i said you might as well be a rock.
I raise my hand all the time • May 13, 2009 at 1:31 am
Rachelle…part of raising your hand is to discuss with the profs what you know. If all you do is sit in class you might as well be a rock. Discussion and raising hand and debating is part of grading. I would hate to think that someone like you becomes my doctor or lawyer or any thing for that matter, and when you go out on the job, you dont do or say anything. Can you imagine a patient coming to you and asking for your EDUCATED and PROFESSIONAL opinion and you just expect the patient to read your mind and guess you have some knowledge and wisdom that will help them….the all too powerful to speak, too smart to share, and too good to say anything. Like i said you might as well be a rock.
FTY • May 12, 2009 at 8:34 am
I honestly don’t understand why the complaint. Showing up to class shows you’re responsible…doing the assignments shows your dedicated all in all classifies knowledge…if you don’t want to show up why sign up for that class take an online class. It’s true employees don’t see your transcript after all it’s about knowing the material right?
A friend of mine is planning on attending medical school during his biology classes he would do horribly during the tests he ended up failing…but he knew the material so well he could explain how everything worked…he said he wasn’t upset retook the class and passed with an A in the end he said he was happy because he knew for sure how everything worked. Personally, that is the kind of doctor I would want.
As for TAs my english 5A one was amazing learned so much didn’t treat us as freshman she demanded a lot from us and I am glad she taught us to be critical thinkers. I would also recommend the writing center. Everyone has bad experiences but you shouldn’t make it out to seem as if your way is the right way explore more before categorizing everyone together.
FTY • May 12, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I honestly don’t understand why the complaint. Showing up to class shows you’re responsible…doing the assignments shows your dedicated all in all classifies knowledge…if you don’t want to show up why sign up for that class take an online class. It’s true employees don’t see your transcript after all it’s about knowing the material right?
A friend of mine is planning on attending medical school during his biology classes he would do horribly during the tests he ended up failing…but he knew the material so well he could explain how everything worked…he said he wasn’t upset retook the class and passed with an A in the end he said he was happy because he knew for sure how everything worked. Personally, that is the kind of doctor I would want.
As for TAs my english 5A one was amazing learned so much didn’t treat us as freshman she demanded a lot from us and I am glad she taught us to be critical thinkers. I would also recommend the writing center. Everyone has bad experiences but you shouldn’t make it out to seem as if your way is the right way explore more before categorizing everyone together.
Raquel • May 11, 2009 at 10:38 am
Three cheers for Rachelle! Grades do not in anyway reflect what we know or how much. In ways it doesnt even matter, in the end were being graded on how they teachers want us to be or think. We can have plenty of knowledge and back up sources and information within a writing assaignment but if we dont follow the rubric exactly were screwed. Were in no way thinking for ourselves. Attendence ok i can see how its important to go to class if your on financial aid and that is important they’re giving you money for classes so you should go to them, but for it to affect your grade doesn’t make sense. Were in college, your college teachers this is the transition from being babied to becoming adults and were old enough to make our own decisions if we don’t go to class thats our problem were missing out on our own education information we need to pass theses tests or write papers. We can make our own decision by now, they may not always be the smartest but they are our own. Grading and our Grades in no way can reflect exactly how much a person knows. Afterall many of our countries greatest minds didn’t get the best grades in their schools
I find it ridicoulous that the state even allows TA’s to teach alone in a classroom. If they’re gonna teach they should at least have to have more than one evaluation a semester and the people doing the evaluation should actually take a couple students aside and ask them question about the class and their experience. Afterall its about the students education. I understand that its hand on experience but they still dont have the knowledge accessibe to teach the students. I have had my experience with both good and bad TA’s so not all “suck” but its all about the education. I just did did a presentation on child illiteracy and their education. Just as its vital that our youth get the education needed to become “successful” in life, its important that we as college students get the same education and that they too need in life, and someone teaching them thats at their same level doesnt help in anyway. No matter where you you yull find bad teachers I would say in my experience most are not even TA’s so the problem shouldn’t be weather or not TA’s should teach but should anyone. Our country needs to do something about the “bad” teachers and it needs to be done quick we are the futrure and we need to be properly prepared.
Raquel • May 11, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Three cheers for Rachelle! Grades do not in anyway reflect what we know or how much. In ways it doesnt even matter, in the end were being graded on how they teachers want us to be or think. We can have plenty of knowledge and back up sources and information within a writing assaignment but if we dont follow the rubric exactly were screwed. Were in no way thinking for ourselves. Attendence ok i can see how its important to go to class if your on financial aid and that is important they’re giving you money for classes so you should go to them, but for it to affect your grade doesn’t make sense. Were in college, your college teachers this is the transition from being babied to becoming adults and were old enough to make our own decisions if we don’t go to class thats our problem were missing out on our own education information we need to pass theses tests or write papers. We can make our own decision by now, they may not always be the smartest but they are our own. Grading and our Grades in no way can reflect exactly how much a person knows. Afterall many of our countries greatest minds didn’t get the best grades in their schools
I find it ridicoulous that the state even allows TA’s to teach alone in a classroom. If they’re gonna teach they should at least have to have more than one evaluation a semester and the people doing the evaluation should actually take a couple students aside and ask them question about the class and their experience. Afterall its about the students education. I understand that its hand on experience but they still dont have the knowledge accessibe to teach the students. I have had my experience with both good and bad TA’s so not all “suck” but its all about the education. I just did did a presentation on child illiteracy and their education. Just as its vital that our youth get the education needed to become “successful” in life, its important that we as college students get the same education and that they too need in life, and someone teaching them thats at their same level doesnt help in anyway. No matter where you you yull find bad teachers I would say in my experience most are not even TA’s so the problem shouldn’t be weather or not TA’s should teach but should anyone. Our country needs to do something about the “bad” teachers and it needs to be done quick we are the futrure and we need to be properly prepared.
JAKO • May 11, 2009 at 9:23 am
clarification “who dont think its not fair ” Who doesnt think its fair.
JAKO • May 11, 2009 at 4:23 pm
clarification “who dont think its not fair ” Who doesnt think its fair.
JAKO • May 11, 2009 at 9:22 am
Grades dont matter in the real world. Employers rarely look at transcripts.
As far as going to class, you paid for it if you miss it and failed thats your problem. The problem is students that dont show up tend to be the winers who dont think its not fair that the test are based on notes and stuff done in class. They are also the ones who gives the professors a bad image by bad mouthing and givng them bad reviews. Those few lazy dumb asses ruin it for the many. But if i was a professor i would force your ass to come to class to. Some times its for your own good.
As for TA’s yes some of them do suck and do not take the job seriously. Most of the ones i have had are good, some are just plain stupid and shouldnt be there.
JAKO • May 11, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Grades dont matter in the real world. Employers rarely look at transcripts.
As far as going to class, you paid for it if you miss it and failed thats your problem. The problem is students that dont show up tend to be the winers who dont think its not fair that the test are based on notes and stuff done in class. They are also the ones who gives the professors a bad image by bad mouthing and givng them bad reviews. Those few lazy dumb asses ruin it for the many. But if i was a professor i would force your ass to come to class to. Some times its for your own good.
As for TA’s yes some of them do suck and do not take the job seriously. Most of the ones i have had are good, some are just plain stupid and shouldnt be there.