Apparently, student who filled out their class reviews got access to their grades today. It's been a while since I've taught a class this large (80 students) -- how many e-mails do you think I'll get from students inquiring about why their grades were lower than expected?
I can't really blame them for asking. In their defense, so far those who have asked did poorly enough on the final that their grade did move down a level from before the final. However, the ones who suggest they want to go back over problem sets from earlier in the semester (that they've had back for some number of weeks) to get more points in an effort to improve their final grade could potentially annoy me. Even if a problem was misgraded, they've had plenty of time to bring it up before (the TAs, who graded the assignments, are generally not available now to ask if a question comes up), and it seems clear the goal is find a way to push themselves over the grade boundary line. Doing this after grades are turned in is a major hassle. Apparently, I should add a note to the syllabus with a statute of limitations on grade changes for assignments. Luckily (and by design) almost all students are far enough away from the grade boundary that even a substantial change on the homework won't change their final grade.
So far, before noon this Saturday morning, I've had 3 e-mails from students about their grades...
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It's been a while since I've taught a class this large (80 students) -- how many e-mails do you think I'll get from students inquiring about why their grades were lower than expected?82.
(Grumble. Blogger ignores blank lines in comments.)
Statute of limitations works great. (I give them two weeks, and tell them that if they need more time, they can send an e-mail stating that they will not be able to come in for a regrade within two weeks.) This has completely eliminated the long lines outside my TA's office right after the final exam scores are posted.
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