This page provides information about spot-check questions on Sakai, which usually accompany discussion exercises or readings.
Overview
- Spot-check questions (SQs) are not actually your main preparation for class.
- Your main preparation is as stated on the Daily syllabus page; it will usually consist of one or more phonology data sets to analyze, and/or a reading assignment.
- The SQs are a quick check on your preparation for class and mastery of course material. They encourage you to keep up with the assigned preparation, they sometimes set the stage for points we will build on in class discussion, and they give me a way to see which concepts people already understand and which are potential sticking points that we should talk about more during class.
- Because the SQs are graded pass/fail, there is no penalty for a wrong answer. But these questions are designed to help you see how well you are mastering the material, so
taking them seriously should be good preparation for class discussion, graded assignments, exams, and the squib. (If you start feeling like you are falling behind in this course, consider: should you
be spending more time preparing before class and reviewing material from past classes?)
- Format for your answers: Very short answers are perfectly fine (as in, just a few words), unless otherwise specified.
Grading
- Spot-check questions are graded pass/fail. Once I have gone through all the answers to one set of questions,
I will finalize the numerical "score" for your submission.
- A score of 0 means that you did not pass for that specific set of questions. This is usually because you didn't complete the questions on time, because any good-faith attempt at an answer will earn you a pass.
- Any score other than 0 is a pass.
- The maximum possible score will (usually) be 1 point per subpart of the question.
- A score that is lower than the maximum means that your answer is not fully correct or fully insightful. This is still a passing score for the SQ, but it is an indication that you should review the material, or talk with me, if you aren't sure why your answer wasn't considered fully correct.
- Be sure to read the "Grader's Feedback" on your answer, especially if you didn't receive the maximum score.
- All passing scores will be treated identically as far as grading is concerned.
- For a day or two after you have submitted your answers, you may see a "0" for your score in the Sakai Tests & Quizzes tool. This just means I haven't finished grading that set of questions yet!
Troubleshooting
- If at any point things aren't working for you,
or if the process seems more inconvenient than it
should be because of the way I have some setting specified, please let me know
(by email is probably best).
My goal is for SQs to be helpful for you in mastering the course material,
not just to be another source of Sakai frustration.
- If you do send me an email to get clarification or report a problem or an inconvenience, please be as specific as possible about what you need clarified or what isn't working. If it's a technical problem, please tell me what your operating system is (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, ...) and what your web browser is.