http://www.universitypressclub.com/archive/2009/12/duking-it-out-with-dean-malkiel-whig-clio-style/ The blog of the University Press Club, featuring news and commentary on Princeton and college life. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:33:41 -0400 hourly 1 http://www.universitypressclub.com/archive/2009/12/duking-it-out-with-dean-malkiel-whig-clio-style/comment-page-1/#comment-3966 An Educator Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:47:28 +0000 http://www.universitypressclub.com/?p=2905#comment-3966 The problem is not just the grade deflation policy, it's the cumulative impact of the grade deflation policy and the p/d/f policy on the willingness of students to experiment and explore in their course choices and coursework. Combined, these policies yield, a significant number of students unwilling to take academic risks, that is, unwilling to experiment and explore course work outside their comfort zones. At the same time the profs may feel p/d/f students don't fully invest in the coursework, the rigidity of the school's p/d/f policy all but guarantees apathy from students once the date for revising p/d/f options passes. Many colleges allow students the election of uncovering the P/D/F once final grades are in; the idea there is that given the option, students not only will be more invested in their p/d/f courses, but that liberated from grading constraints they are more likely to "color outside the lines," to take risks and make discoveries they otherwise might not. This is grading policy at its worst. Yes distribution requirements help and yes, Princeton extended the p/d/f revision date---but not much. These are wooden, unthinking, authoritarian grading policies whose combined effect only serve to undermine the educational adventure society needs todays students to take. The problem is not just the grade deflation policy, it’s the cumulative impact of the grade deflation policy and the p/d/f policy on the willingness of students to experiment and explore in their course choices and coursework. Combined, these policies yield, a significant number of students unwilling to take academic risks, that is, unwilling to experiment and explore course work outside their comfort zones. At the same time the profs may feel p/d/f students don’t fully invest in the coursework, the rigidity of the school’s p/d/f policy all but guarantees apathy from students once the date for revising p/d/f options passes. Many colleges allow students the election of uncovering the P/D/F once final grades are in; the idea there is that given the option, students not only will be more invested in their p/d/f courses, but that liberated from grading constraints they are more likely to “color outside the lines,” to take risks and make discoveries they otherwise might not. This is grading policy at its worst. Yes distribution requirements help and yes, Princeton extended the p/d/f revision date—but not much. These are wooden, unthinking, authoritarian grading policies whose combined effect only serve to undermine the educational adventure society needs todays students to take.

]]> http://www.universitypressclub.com/archive/2009/12/duking-it-out-with-dean-malkiel-whig-clio-style/comment-page-1/#comment-3328 Molly Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:27:59 +0000 http://www.universitypressclub.com/?p=2905#comment-3328 Thanks for this! Wasn't able to make it to the debate. Looks like Malkiel got pwned. Thanks for this! Wasn’t able to make it to the debate. Looks like Malkiel got pwned.

]]> http://www.universitypressclub.com/archive/2009/12/duking-it-out-with-dean-malkiel-whig-clio-style/comment-page-1/#comment-3326 girifangirl Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:40:06 +0000 http://www.universitypressclub.com/?p=2905#comment-3326 Why he write so good Why he write so good

]]> http://www.universitypressclub.com/archive/2009/12/duking-it-out-with-dean-malkiel-whig-clio-style/comment-page-1/#comment-3325 girifangirl Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:39:24 +0000 http://www.universitypressclub.com/?p=2905#comment-3325 Giri Nathan write so good <3 <3 I wish my daughter want his children Giri Nathan write so good <3 <3
I wish my daughter want his children

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