I was not at all uncomfortable with being graded blindly in any of my classes last semester. However, after hearing Eben discuss the grading possibilities for our third writing assignment in class today, I found myself prickling at the idea of being graded "with a bag over my head." This prospect is particularly prickly since we happen to have a professor who seems to be investing a great deal of effort in individualizing the learning process. In the class following Theo's HowToFixHealthcare post, Eben explained that his responses to Theo were engineered to best help Theo learn and develop his piece. The discomfort for some of the rest of us had come from the fact that we learn and are motivated differently, but could still see Eben's comments. I was struck by this explanation because not only did it make sense, but it seemed to be effective. Having gotten to know Theo a bit over the poker table, I suspected it was true that he would step up his game if challenged in the way that Eben challenged him. Given his re-write of the topic, it seems that he did just that.

If we were talking about grading options for one of my typical 1L classes, I might lean more towards blind grading; I haven't been to any of my professors' office hours this semester, and would feel at a disadvantage compared to those students who have become BFFs with the professors. But we're not talking about a typical 1L class, we're talking about this class. In this class, I think I have the faith to take the bag off.

-- MolissaFarber - 31 Mar 2009

I think you make some great points, and I tend to agree with your positions overall. I actually would prefer more anonymity with regard to most classes, as many professors now have the ability to partially increase or decrease grades based on their own evaluations of your in-class performance. Even this small amount incentivizes frequent but banal contributions in many classes, which have the effect of distracting the class while someone merely gets their daily word in.

I think this course is an exception to a general preference for anonymity, not just due to the individualized assessment, but because of the challenge Professor Moglen will issue to those on either side of an argument. One thing I realized quite quickly was that this was not a concept that he just paid lip service to, which I suspect is a unique characteristic among the classes we will end up taking here.

-- AaronShepard - 31 Mar 2009

Correct me if I am wrong, but I understood the two options to be:

1. Our final assignment will be blind and count for 50% of our grade, with everyone receiving the same score,

OR

2. We continue with the same framework we are currently using.

Since the work we are actually graded on will not be blind no matter which we choose, what is the objection (aside from an argument that we should adhere to Columbia policy)? Am I missing something: did Professor Moglen offer an option of a blind exam which would actually constitute a part of our grade?

-- WalkerNewell - 31 Mar 2009

Walker, I think you are correct about the first option, but I thought the second option was that the third assignment would be blindly evaluated. It would then be factored in with the other work we have produced. Did I misunderstand?

-- MolissaFarber - 01 Apr 2009

To be taken with the seriousness that individualized criticism requires is, especially in this degree program, an invaluable and all-too-rare opportunity. I say to hell with the anonymous grading rule.

-- MichaelHolloway - 01 Apr 2009

Molissa, yours makes more sense: otherwise we wouldn't really be given a choice. I suffer from the listening/remembering problems that Professor Moglen refers to.

-- WalkerNewell - 01 Apr 2009

Given Eben's assurances that nothing truly "bad" will come from disregarding this rule, I agree with Michael. This is my first opportunity for individualized feedback on my writing since my freshman year of college. I'd like to take advantage of it.

-- KeithEdelman - 01 Apr 2009

I just realized my most recent post was inaccurate. To be clear about our two options:

1. The third writing assignment will be blindly evaluated and graded on that basis, counting for slightly more than 50% of our grade.

2. The third writing assignment will have our names attached and will be individually critiqued. (not blind) We will all be given the same grade - thereby canceling out the assignment and beating the rule that requires that 50% of our elective grade be based on a blind assignment. The rest of our grade for the semester will consist of our other writings for this course.

-- MolissaFarber - 01 Apr 2009

There were three options, weren't there?

1. Disregard the grading rule, and write a third, non-blindly-graded essay along the same lines as the first, receiving individualized comments.

2. Write a third, anonymized essay, to be given the same grade as all other third essays on the basis of the essays' average quality, and to be factored into individual grades accordingly.

3. Write anonymized essays, receiving anonymized comments and grades.

Obviously, I'm for option #1.

-- MichaelHolloway - 01 Apr 2009

I think Michael's got it right. I'm pretty sure if the essay is not blind, then we get individualized comments and grades.

-- KeithEdelman - 01 Apr 2009

I'm with Keith and Michael on this. Although it is painful sometimes, I think the individually tailored feedback is really valuable. I don't think we should pass up another opportunity to get some.

-- PatrickCronin - 01 Apr 2009

Well, I'm glad we're getting this hammered out! In any case, I'm in favor of an option allowing individualized feedback as opposed to blind grading.

-- MolissaFarber - 01 Apr 2009