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College tutor WWYD over marking ?

5 replies

mamatomany · 12/10/2010 22:52

I'm attending a college course for which the marking criteria is a little wishy washy to say the least.
On our first day at college our lecturer basically told us there was no point in applying for certain uni courses as we didn't have a chance.
It was as if he'd made his mind up about all of us from day one.
Now I might be trying to punch above my weight, it's entirely possible but I still want to try but feel as if this tutor is purposefully trying to prove himself right with my marks.
The first assignment we were told to compare and contrast, with large drawings. I had more detail than anyone else and yet was given a merit because I had put three large drawings on one A4 sheet rather than draw each on an A4 sheet, how do you quantify "large"
Next example, this week we had an essay assignment, half the class had not even reached the pass mark and were given their assignments back to resubmit.
However mine was deemed to have passed but at a low grade, merit, pass, pass. So I would have actually been better off if he'd failed me. I am so pissed off because the people who've been given back their assignments have been given feedback as to how to improve and can still achieve merits and distinctions.
I want to talk to him about this because he knows I need distinctions, I'm not saying give me one if I haven't deserved it but if other people are getting a second chance to improve I'm so upset that I am not.
Am just worried I'm wasting my time on this course because he seems to have decided I will not get the grades
Has anybody else experienced this and what did you do ? I just don't feel I can question his marking, i'm no expert but he himself cannot seem to say what deserves a distinction, merit or pass, it almost seems to change with the wind.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 12/10/2010 22:58

Is it a BTEC course? If it is, it will be internally and externally verified.

mamatomany · 12/10/2010 23:05

Access, I think a sample are externally verified but it will be too late by then as my UCAS application and the results have to be entered on to it by Christmas.
DH thinks I should nicely challenge him, what do you think ?

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 12/10/2010 23:09

You should ask for better feedback, certainly. Presumably there are grading criteria and you should know what they are before you start your assessment. You don;t need to challenge. You need to ask him for some formative comments.

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mamatomany · 12/10/2010 23:26

This is the thing you see the criteria is shows understanding, shows good understanding, shows excellent understanding it's really hard to know how to demonstrate excellent v's good.
The feedback I got as justification for a pass was "waffle" in red pen Blush now that may well be the case but it's not very constructive or indeed if it's that crap why didn't he fail it ?

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 12/10/2010 23:38

OK. If other people are getting a chance to improve, you should too. Either it's allowed or it isn't surely. You need to ask for an appointment to go over your most recent marks. Get him to talk you through it and give advice on how to reach the distinction level.I wouldn't get away with sloppy marking in a school. Students knowing how they can reach the next level is huge!

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