Feedback and Evaluating Your Work

The "correct answer" is not enough

Of course we want you to get the correct answer when solving a problem but the way you got that answer is even more important.   It is possible to get the correct answer with the wrong process and it is possible to get a wrong answer with the correct process.  In order to help you master the concepts, we will be looking at the processes you used and will base our feedback on that.

You will find that every practice problem set will include an answer key.  We won't give you answers to all of the problems we assign, especially for the "explain your reasoning" problems.  This means that you MUST show the steps you took or the reasoning you used to reach your answers in order to demonstrate you understand and can apply concepts.  We refer to this as "showing your process."  You will not get credit if you don't show your process or if your teacher cannot follow your reasoning.  

The Criteria for Evaluation

Since you have answer keys immediately made available to you, we really aren't checking those problems for accuracy.   That's your job.  We are looking to make sure you are using a valid process and want to see the evidence that you put in the effort and submitted your best work.  Before we can evaluate your level of understanding, your assignments must meet the criteria for evaluation.  If your assignment does not meet the criteria, we cannot evaluate your progress.  Here are those criteria:

• The submitted work is legible.   This includes neat, well-spaced writing that your teacher can quickly read and follow.  If this work isn't checked during the class period and needs to be submitted online, the image uploaded needs to be clear and legible, not fuzzy, not blurry.  

• Work/Reasoning was clearly provided for each problem.  It is important that other people can follow the steps you took, so put your work in an order that flows logically.  The videos made for this class model a workflow that moves down the page (not across), which is the easiest layout for other readers.

• The work/reasoning actually matches the answer. Yeah, don't just randomly write stuff down.  You are trying to prove that you understand and can apply the skills you are learning.

• Solutions were checked for correctness and problems were reworked as necessary.  We give you an answer key for a reason.  Use it as a self-check as you progress through a problem set.  There will be some problems that you cannot check ahead of time.  Your teacher will check those for accuracy.

If your work does not meet the standards, you'll be asked to redo it.