Monday, March 17, 2008
Decision Debriefing on the class
As a student in Baruch I never encountered a professor that allowed the test to be graded and weighed by the students. Professor Kurpis was more than generous in giving us the options. I picked the accomidation method in dealing with this problem in class. I recieved a very high grade, and no matter what was going to happen I knew that the decision would not hurt my grade. Before the option of dropping and curving was introduced I was a strong supporter of the curve. The idea that students do better on the second test is something new to me. From experience second test are harder and the mean usually is lower. So by droping this grade a person really does no good. A curve helps those students that worked hard and did not do so great. However, for the people that completely failed I believe nothing would have helped. Whether you curve or drop the first test, unless you change the way you study for the test or start studying you are not going to do good in the class. After the class came to it's decision I thought it was the right decision. It helped everyone and hurt no one. I am compettitive, but a fellow classmate getting a good grade does not affect me negatively. After everything that happened in the class I would not choose any other way of dealing with the situation. The issue of changing the grade or it's weight was not something that I really benefited from. Instead of a 99 I have a 100. I believe that speaking for other people and trying to make a decision in favor of those who will benefit from the decision is the best way. That's why I was mad at the people that went against the greater good of the class.
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6 comments:
I agreed with you in three things.
One, if a person failed or is lazy, it would not help them anyway of curving or making the test easier. They should study harder and not just asking for a slack on grading.
Two, I agree that the curving is better.
Three, I agree that dropping the grade is not so much of a good idea.
If people really want it, I have no problem with it. It is like if people really want to go to "War in Iraq," I have no problem with it. However, I would just want to let people know what is the pros and cons of fighting such a "war" or choosing such a choice. BUT, if the decision hinders me, I would definitely speak against it. For example, if the "War in Iraq" involves taking my right or interest away, then I will do everything I can to either avoid it or speak against it. In the case of our class decision, I am not benefit too much nor harm, if there is any.
I definitely would not against the greater good of the class. I would, however, to think that our choice is not good enough to bring the greater good to everyone of the class, but rather benefiting some people and not the entire class. One can not say if a person is not voting for a certain agenda then that person is against that agenda. Similarly, one can not say if a country is not in favor of the U.S. agenda on "War on Terror," then that country is in support of terrorism and against the U.S. That would be the rhetorical fallacy that George W. Bush made when he said "you are either with us or against us," "you are either support the War on Terrorism, or you are with the Axis of Evil." That is bullshit!
If you want people to speak, then be quiet and listen. If you want people to tell the truth, then stop acting like a "salesman" or a "wise-guy."
Also, I do not think the Good Germans were very selfish when they opposed the Nazi party and the action what everyone in the entire country (Third Reich) is taking. So the "doing something for the 'greater good' of everyone" Communist crap is not always ethical.
I disagree with you in curving is better than dropping and curving. I didn't do well on this exam because I didn't know it was multiple multiple choice question. I circled only 1 answer for each of 6 multiple choices question and got minus 18 point for it. I end up with a C while I could have done better. So I think dropping and curving is the best option for everyone.
Sorry about that.
I think the dropping should be the option for individual, and not a requirement for the entire class.
For example, people who earned good grade, if they do even better on the next test, it means that they will have a higher average.
That is fine if people want to drop the worst performed test, but I think it should still be optional and not requirement for everyone.
Think competitiveness, think stretch goal.
This discussion in class was about what best for everybody. NOT only for certain people. What I am trying to say is that "Curving" only is not the right solution for this test. It could be my fault because I didn't pay attention in class while I was busy doing the test. But your curving only is only helping part of the class.
first of all i would like to congrat you on recieveing 99 or aka 100:) i was one of the few that did roughly well as well. i agree that the decision we came up with as a class was the best one. it did not hurt anyone and helped the onces in need. i also agree with you on the fact that if someone failed miserbly nothing would help, however maybe it would encourage them to study harder for the next test, you never know what could have caused them to recieve a lower grade, its not always not studying.
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