Wednesday, April 15, 2009

What do you think about this kind of exam....

It's a logic exam. It's worth 50 points.

3 really easy problems are worth 7 points each
5 easy/medium problems are worth 10 points each
3 moderately difficult problems are worth 15 points each.

I will grade a maximum of 5 problems -- indicated by the students.

Extra-credit is possible.

My only real worry is that my students aren't good at math (that's why they're in this class) and they aren't good at following directions.

Also, if they don't do well on it, they'll need to take the final.... which I don't want.

5 comments:

Bardiac said...

Wow, that seems like hellish math for anxious students, doesn't it? I'd have totally been overwhelmed trying to maximize my chances.

Maybe your students are way smarter than I am? (Not hard!)

Kate said...

I really like this idea! I will have to see if I can incorporate it into my own teaching. It's a kind of contractual grading assignment, too, which I like.

mrc-w said...

What a creative idea! It lets students be in control of the level of "risk" in a test. I would just tell them the rules beforehand, so they can figure out the numbers with a calculator before the test if they're not very math-savvy.

Anonymous said...

You should ask them to draw up a logical proof that demonstrates that the combination of questions they chose will produce the best possible outcome.

When they turn in the exam, you could ask them to decide whether they would rather be graded on the questions or the proof.

Inside the Philosophy Factory said...

That would be fun, and it would seriously freak them out.

I've presented the idea to both sections and both agreed they'd like to have the choices on the exam. An additional benefit is that they were able to relax a bit and get to work today.