Discussion 1

M-E-M-O-R-A-N-D-U-M

TO: All Classes: Undergraduate, Graduate, Dissertations, Other…

FROM: K. Edward Scott, EdD: Instructor, Teacher, Co-Learner, Other…

SUBJ: Gradebook Policy: Gradebook Issues, and Gradebook Other…

DATE: Open—From This Day, 19 August 2023 until Other…

CONTENT: Three (3) Pages, Other…

Gradebook Policy (All Classes);

1) General Cogitations for Your Perusal:

As of Fall 2023, and for the edification of students and the instructor, the following Gradebook Policy will be implemented and require an “Acceptance Email”[footnoteRef:1]: 1) all items that are not submitted within the timeline, or approved delay, will receive a zero (0) and until the assignment is submitted, that zero will remain; 2) it is the responsibility of the student, with support from the instructor , that the gradebook must be reviewed weekly by the student to ensure all zeroes are updated and replaced with a grade for items submitted. In other words, the gradebook will be checked on a regular basis by the instructor, but if an item contains a zero due to non-submissions or late items, the student must maintain diligence in keeping a close eye on the gradebook to ensure the instructor has graded and replaced the zero with a non-zero-grade; 3) all zeroes that are present as of the final Friday of the Semester, at 5:00PM, must have been addressed by the student and instructor for resolution. *** This policy will be revised in Fall 2023 on an on-going basis as needed, but tested in Fall 2023, to its final form, as needed. Why? Because as I have reviewed grades, and zeroes, and changes, and issues with student-and-self illnesses, and family… it remains elusive that these items (zeroes) are sometimes, not purposefully or other, unaccounted for until it is too late for students to remedy the missing assignments. The gradebook is a vital component of the SLOs (Student Learning Outcomes) for the student, and this policy is an attempt to create importance in the mind of the student; not simply that they have a gradebook, but they ARE THE RESPONSIBLE party in this tool, alongside and in close coordination with their instructor. Finally, I want students to know by this “Policy” that the gradebook is not the be-all-end-all to their learning objectives, but that the gradebook is an indicator that informs them of progress, reminders, and a tool to provide them guidance for what they should be completing throughout the semester. [1: See Canvas, Discussion #1]

It has been my ‘policy’ early in the semester, via repeated emails, for students to care for their gradebook as if they “owned” the gradebook; in other words, this is not an assumed ‘ownership’, but, rather, an actual ‘ownership.’ Thus, this policy is intended to return attention to reviewing the gradebook and emphasis of ownership in this vital tool that supports their learning objectives. The Gradebook is a highly important indicator of learning activities, and supports and requires critical thinking !

2) Specific Cogitations for Your Perusal:

Therefore, here is a mighty suggestion(s) for your success in the Gradebook:

1. If you submit items for grading, and your instructor falls asleep at the wheel (God help me refrain from doing this), do not hesitate to use that old, fading technology, Email, and remind him that you are looking for a grade on Item x-384.3KUB (Please note the specific item you are inquiring about, because it helps your instructor get to the item quickly and evaluate/grade the item quickly, thx);

2. If you need time for an assignment, send me an email and you shall have the time. Life is not a cookie-cutter experience, and sometimes, TO ALL OF US as The Word has told us, we encounter things that are very much like a hole in the boat and we are taking on water. Get it? So, if you need more time, you shall have it…BUT NOW HEAR THIS!!! If you need the time, until that item is submitted, a ZERO is a place holder in the gradebook until you can complete the assignment and … ????? WHAT????? …yep, submit it!

3. It is imperative that all materials should be submitted and uploaded to the gradebook by the last day of the semester. This day is noted on the syllabus and in Canvas, and is the last Friday of the semester at NLT 5:00PM, or 1700 Hours for those veterans or who are currently service members. Why? Because your instructor has to submit grades the following Tuesday, NLT 5:00PM, or 1700 Hours for those veterans or who are currently service members. Why? Because when the Friday of the last day arrives, your instructor goes into micro-focused-mode to grade all items that have been submitted, such as finals, research papers, items that have finally been caught up, and so forth. This requires detailed and specific attention to those things needed for the final compilation/calculation for Grades---which COME FROM THE GRADEBOOK!!! (Apologies for shouting so quietly!).

4. In reference to #3 above, if you should encounter a Rampaging Porcupine (RP) that gets between you and your materials so that you cannot submit your last items for the semester, and you need that few weeks to catch them up and submit…and the RP has, at last, calmed down the ‘Quilleries”, there is an option provided, IF YOU NEED IT: it has a nomenclature we call, The *Grade. This *Grade allows you two additional weeks to catch-up any missed work, and therefore, bring conclusion to your semester assignments. Please note this: if we…that’s correct, WE…if we get to the final Friday of the semester, I will have sent out several emails to remind both of us about some zeroes in the gradebook if they are present, and if there is no response until late Tuesday night, I will have submitted Final Grades and the process to catch up to modify a D to a B or similar, … that WOO…Window of Opportunity, is like a cloud in the Heavens passing by and soon gone (Psalm 19). Not making ‘lite’ of this situation , because there is a plethora of sincere things than can happen to us and brings delay to any situation; however, we…yes, WE… we must be diligent with the gradebook as it IS THE LINCHPIN of final grades. Amen? Amen!

On a personal note : I understand the time, dedication, Faith, and endurance needed to complete a semester of assignments. And when you throw-in the mix—life, family, Faith, community service, military service, and all that we have upon our shoulders—it CAN and often does, task us to times when we are tired, frustrated, in Prayer from sunup to sundown…and we remember that we have an assignment due in two days. When this happens, as it has happened to me for more years than I can or desire to remember, sometimes we want to find a quiet place and close our eyes and rest. And, you know, that’s okay when we are able to do that. And after that short respite, we get up, we open the assignment, or we care for family, or we go to the grocery store…you know, stuff that has to get done…and we move forward…yet again. Let me tell you a story, a true one, not to boast or intend to say “I did it”, rather to say that it was more than I who was needed to finish the task.

After many years of teaching, with classes at Auburn, and professional development, and conferences, and just learning, learning, learning…classes, workshops, and travel to conferences, I was at the point of finding that corner to rest and not coming out! But, Auburn University, my intended educational goal after high school, returned my application and informed me that I needed to work on my study skills because my high school transcript looked as if my GPA was rounded up so I could graduate (not the words they used, but my GPA was abysmal!!!). SO, I was drafted into the Army, redrafted into the Navy, and through those subsequent years, I earned a Masters Degree and other credits for work. Then, Auburn University and AUM, announced that they were going to offer a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Leadership and Technology. I mentioned it to my wife and she said, “You have talked for some time about a doctorate. Now’s your chance!” So, I applied and I thought my high school GPA would haunt me, once again! By the Grace of God, I was accepted and for the next five years, I had, again, classes, papers, worked two-full time jobs, family, two dogs, bills, sicknesses, and…what we all face! I didn’t complete the program because of me, but from support of family, my dissertation chair, and most of all…the Strength and Endurance from Christ!!! What am I saying? That I KNOW how hard this learning thing is; that the gradebook is our friend most of the time, but it can remind us of “not more work to do!?” I am here to help you, to give back what has been given to me. You need me? I’m here…

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