Math 184 Workshop Grading Scheme (Jan-Apr 2013)

Summary of the workshop grade

The 10% of the final course grade allocated to the workshop covers all aspects of this important course activity.

· 50% from Quizzes: graded by TAs, using top 8 of 9 problems.

· 50% for participation, which is divided into the following:

o 25% for regular attendance/participation (at least 11 of 12 workshops)

o 12.5% for observed group participation in the first half of term

o 12.5% for observed group participation in the last half of term

Detailed description of workshop grade

Quizzes (50%)

Each workshop will feature group work on a series of Practice Problems. In 9 of the workshops, the Practice Problems will be followed by a Quiz featuring a problem similar to the Practice Problems. Quizzes will be tackled individually for the last ten minutes of the workshop and handed in at the end. The submitted work will be graded by the TAs and the assigned marks will form 50% of the workshop grade. The first workshop will have an overview of the process, the workshop at midway part of the term will feature a student survey, and the last workshop will not include a quiz.

Attendance/Participation (25%)

The TAs will take attendance at about the 10-minute mark of the workshop. To ensure full attendance and participation for the entire time of the workshop, the TAs will also collect quizzes at the end of most workshops. The full attendance/participation mark will be assigned if the student attends the entire workshop and submits his/her quiz at the end. Failure to either arrive on time or submit work at the end, or both, will result in a 0 score for attendance/participation for that workshop. In the workshops when no Quiz is present, the attendance/participation score will be based solely on attendance. A full 25% will be allotted if the student attends and submits work at all but one workshop (11 out of 12), though students will not be penalized if they present documentation to the TAs to support their being late or away. Unexplained, consistent lateness will incur a penalty.

Scoring for Attendance/Participation

0 – Missed workshop, or late arrival, or nothing handed in, or no discernible effort on what was submitted.

1 – Early arrival and any reasonable attempt to complete a Quiz.

Participation, evaluated by TA (12.5% middle of term, 12.5% end of term)

The TAs will observe the workshop groups throughout the term and assign each student two grades based on participation in their group (and scaled by attendance): once at the midway part of the term and once at the end. These grades are to encourage “active participation”: working with the whole group to solve problems, keeping on task, using the blackboard in discussion. Mathematical accuracy is not considered in this score; it is about putting in a reasonable amount of effort and teamwork every week.

Participation Scoring

0 – Does not communicate with group, distracts others. Is often working individually, seldom participates at the chalkboard.

1 – Sometimes distracted or working alone, but does some work with the group. Usually engages when prompted, but content to let others lead the discussion. Seldom presents own ideas.

2 – Follows discussions, but either does not lead or dominates; provides suggestions, participates in board work.

3 – Engages in group discussion, leading when appropriate (not always!); offers suggestions, provides constructive criticism and encouragement to peers, participates actively in blackboard work without dominating the discussion. Works with the whole group.