Final exam diversions 2008

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Final exam diversions 2008

December 20, 2008 by David Albrecht

WhWhether calculus or accounting--grading final exams is a stressul task.

See the sequel–Final exam diversions 2009

Saturday night. It’s time to grade final exams. More accurately stated, it’s past time. Final exams were taken by my students during this most recent week, term papers and projects due the week before. This year, it seems as if I have it easy, only 91 papers and projects and tests for 130 students (about 800 answers to look over). At about 30 minutes apiece for test or paper, only 110.5 hours of grading. And grades are due on Monday morning.

For my colleagues who don’t know how to grade tests, there’s always the stair step method of grading. Daniel Solove (GW law professor) imortalized it two years ago in A Guide to Grading Exams. It is an absolute must read. It reminds me of my first unpublshed paper in which I described the alternative Windy Day Grading Scheme, where you throw a stack of tests out the second floor window on a windy day (hence the name). Then go out to look for them. Any you retrieve pass the course.

For me, grading is all about keeping on task. During the time it will take to write this blog essay, perhaps I could have graded a half dozen term papers. But, my mind has slid off topic, like a car spinning doughnuts on a snowy parking lot. I just can’t do it right now. At times like these (and let’s face it, I always have times like these), I go looking for diversions.

Christmas light display synchronized to music

Tonight’s diversion is looking at decorative Christmas light displays. Why this particular diversion? I like both Christmas and music. Moreover, the creativity displayed is absolutely amazing. Take a look at these and tell me what you think. The alltime classic in this genre is the first selection under Wizards in Winter. The selection for Music Box Dancer is pretty good also.

To the tune of Wizards in Winter:

To to the of a Mad Russian’s Winter

To the tune of Siberian Sleigh Ride

To the Drummer Boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S50cf3xIb50

To Music Box Dancer

To Carol of the Bells

To Miracle on 34th Street

Over and out – – Dave Albrecht

Posted in Accounting Ed, Education, Humor, Humor and cartoons | Tagged Accounting education, Christmas light displays, Grading, Humor and cartoons, Teaching | 1 Comment

One Response

on January 11, 2010 at 1:03 am | Reply wireless network hardware

Wow 😀 I found this place on yahoo searching for something completely unrelated- and now I’m going to have to go back and read all the archives! Good bye spare time today, but this was a truly great find.