Notes from the Foxhole of Grading
The days after the final week of the semester of History of Absolutely Fascinating Thing to Academics.
Academe (where a weathered historian shares)
By the time you read this, it will probably already be too late for me, but please read nonetheless. I will cast this message in a bottle out of my foxhole at 6 a.m. on Thursday, as I usually do, but grades are due 18 hours after that — Thursday at midnight. 11:59 p.m. to be precise, just like I make things due. How ironic. Whether I make it to the grading deadline remains to be seen.
In the Foxhole
Wednesday
5:40 a.m.
This has become like the Battle of the Bulge. How did it come to this? I had planned the classes’ schedules so carefully that the various assignments would come due on different days. But I couldn’t grade the first one and that has led to a cascade of delays and now there are only two days left.
I must grade nonstop after breakfast.
7:40 a.m.
I’m glad I took the dog for a walk. Exercise clears the mind. No regrets. It is imperative I now sit and grade. Or stand and grade, as so much mass wisdom tells us that sitting is the new smoking.
11:00 a.m.
I must eat something other than bits of chocolate. I am glad I stocked up on the essentials but I must be careful how much tea I consume.
2:33 p.m.
Word arrives from other foxholes. Things are not looking better over there. We try to pluck each other’s courage up with gifs and videos.
4:15 p.m.
Maybe some physical work will re-clear the mind. I’ll do some yard work. What day is it? Still Wednesday? That’s good, I suppose.
6:09 p.m.
Questioning everything now. What are the reasons for what I am seeing? Maybe if I write about grading, it will go better.
What is a grade? What does it mean to grade?
First, it’s an evaluation of the “words on the page,” not the person who produced the words on the page.
Second, it’s an evaluation based on a discipline’s standards, not an instructor’s personal whims.
Third, it’s an evaluation of a single “product,” which is wedged firmly in space and time. Next year, heck, next month, given different circumstances, the same person could produce something that is ten times better. Or ten times worse. But it was due now. The only time is now.
That helps a bit.
10:49 p.m.
The grading almost has us surrounded. They are demanding our surrender.
I send my response:
NUTS!1
With Critters, It’s Personal
Another great piece. Really liked the structure and flow of this
8:54 p.m.
All grades have been posted.