Last week, on the first day of class, I went over my syllabus with the students, including the number of points available, and the standard grade cut-offs.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
After lecture, a student approached me and asked, "So, what's required of me to get an A?"
I replied, "A percentage between 90 and 100."
Now, had he asked me the question that was really on his mind: What's the minimum amount of work I can put into this course and still end up with an A? I probably would've given him a different answer.
12 comments:
You are a dickwad...and I was going to give you my phone # until you answered my question that way.
That person isn't getting an A if he's asking those types of questions.
Is this gonna be on the test?
Fine Mr. Literal...I was trying to get in your pants, but oh no...you had to blow it instead of me blowing you
I also find it highly hilarious that some commenters haven't realized that the student who asked was a guy, not a girl. Now they REALLY aren't gonna get A's!
Not the sharpest tool in the shed eh? I'm not holding out much hope for the poor soul.
Exactly as gypsy said - he wasn't working out how much effort he could get away with, I really don't think he understood the grading structure. And Vampire Weekend is a great album... "Who gives a f*ck about an Oxford Comma, I've seen those English dramas too.... they're cruel".
If he asked that question, then you should have given him an 'A' on the spot. That would have set an interesting precedent.
I have a couple of things I would/could say, but.... you'd get fired.
always better to take the high road.
see, all of the talks i give my middle schoolers about taking responsibility for their work and trying their best and being self-motivated and that no one can work hard on their work but them would just NOT work for college kids.
Hottest Student, little do you know, but I've already got your number. It came with my class roster. Don't worry. I'm not creepy enough to use it. Yet.
Elbee, agreed! And, agreed! ;-)
Mr DNA, how funny would that be as a multiple choice test question? Which of the following is the percentage you need to score in order to get an A in this course?
Barely Legal, if you're truly barely legal, then you're too young for me. Barely.
Gypsy, he's probably bright enough. Again, he's just testing the waters to see what he can get away with.
Simon, he's talked to me a few times since then. He even confessed that he got cocky going into the first test, and didn't think he'd have to study all that hard because the material seemed easy enough. And I do quite like that Vampire Weekend album. I resisted at first, but am glad I gave in.
$2, I wouldn't have survived the stampede that would've followed such an agreement once word got out.
Boxer, I think I know what you're thinking ;-)
Steph, you're probably right about that. Does it even work on middle schoolers?
I think your answer is great. I wish I'd used that a few times teaching my Mammal lab.
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