Student "edition" found at {csi dot journalspace dot com}.

Maybe I shouldn't have started this blog now, not with everything that's been going on.

There are some things I consider when I'm thinking about whether to pass a student or not, when they are on the brink of failing.

First is whether the subject is a major one for them (such as isn't the case for my general science requirement mechanics class for non-science and non-engineering majors). If it's a major subject for them, and it is a prerequisite to other subjects that are related or that I might teach, then I not be as merciful to them, because they are supposed to master these topics after all, and if they can't comprehend the simple concepts, how more will they survive the rest?

If it is not a pre-requisite for them in other subjects, in other words if it's a dead end track in their flowchart, then I might be lenient, but only if their effort really is borderline.

So far I have not gone way across the line to pass anyone whose rating, let's say, is in the low or even the high thirties.

They really didn't put enough effort for me to see that they learned a lot.

Low forties, same thing. Mid to high forties, that's debatable, and depends on the student's attitude throughout the term.

As for general adjustments, there's getting the score or rating of the highest student at 100%, as long as it's in the range of 75% and above, I use it. Otherwise, even if the best student got a highest grade of around 60%, I will only adjust the passing to be over 75, so that everyone else gets only a little increase. I also do not make any consideration for the weighted average, in case most of the scores are in the 40% mark and the best student still got a hundred percent.

There's also having the right attitude, even if their retention of facts or analysis are off. For large classes, it helps to stand out, but not in a negative way that the teacher is always irritated with you for demanding too much or such.

Hmm, maybe I shouldn't be writing about this here but in the student accessible version, so that the students will learn from it.

But then again, do I really want them to learn my trade secrets?

Session 2119 still wants the element of surprise on course card day. Class dismissed.