My Intermediate Algebra class has a midterm on Thursday. One of my students
asked, "You mean we can't use our notes on the test?" At first, I wondered
where she even got such an idea and I asked her what she meant. She replied
that another student (that had me last semester) told her we couldn't. Had she
known she never would have taken such good notes.
I told her she was in college now and there may be different expectations here
from what she may be use to. She said, "No, my computer teacher let us use our
notes for the midterm, so I thought that was the way it was."
What is this all about folks? Maybe, a formula sheet and calculator, but all of
their notes???
Cynthia
Martha Haehl wrote:
> I'll add to the venting also. I just finished grading Intermediate Algebra
> Midterms. My students expected me to give them a sample exam and make up
> the midterm just like the sample with a few numbers changed. Instead, I
> gave them a sheet of things they should know such as "When solving a system
> of equations, what is the form of the answer?" and suggested they make up
> their own questions around the language and takes notes of the procedures
> they must follow to answer their own question. They seemed to think this
> was grossly unfair--and their grades reflect my unfair practices. By the
> way, there is free tutoring available from 8:00 in the mornings until about
> 7:00 every evening and I have given them my email address as well as the
> Swarthmore online tutoring service.
>
> It seems the higher the level of class, the greater the expectation is that
> mathematics is strictly mimicing an example in the book or an instructor,
> not problem solving in any way shape or form. After all from a sample
> midterm they could have memorized that Problem 1 should be done "this way"
> and Problem 2 done "that way" without every having to analyze a single
> instruction stated in mathematical language.
>
> Martha
>
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