Class Participation, should we be graded on it in College?

[dicecca112]

I'm a vocal guy, if I don't get something in class, I'll tell you. I've always had a good relationship with my teachers, always been able to sit with them and joke after class. One of my classes this coming semester has a class participation grade (Comp Architecture). Now I don't care, but where all 20-22yrs old here. Participation is something you should just do as part as your education. Easy 5% of my grade if you ask me. What do you guys think?

[bubba]

It was part of my lab grades back when I was in school, and there was plenty of folks that got an F for it just for the fact they could not function in a group/team environment. It may help other force themselves to play well with others.

[Zelig]

I don't really care, generally people who participate in class and get to know the profs tend to get better grades anyway.

[Sporg]

I'm not really sure how to feel about that one. I typically participate if I have something to say, otherwise I'm quiet. I guess it depends on the course, if it's a communications type course then I can see it being necessary.

[vicaphit]

I finished college last year. I went to most of my classes every day, but there were some electives that I would still do well in but skip 2 or 3 days out of the month. If you look at it in the way of "youre paying for every single class, you might as well go" youre more inclined to go to class and participate for a grade.

At my school, we figured it out that every single 1 hour class cost the student about $55 if you include tuition, room and board, and everything else. Thats like throwing away $55 everytime you dont participate or go to class.

Then again, there are some classes you just cant participate in, like math. You just sit there and listen for an hour, no discussion. Anything with a solid proven idea that cannot be argued is going to be a non-participation class.

[Zelig]

I finished college last year. I went to most of my classes every day, but there were some electives that I would still do well in but skip 2 or 3 days out of the month. If you look at it in the way of "youre paying for every single class, you might as well go" youre more inclined to go to class and participate for a grade.

Yes, but that's the wrong way of looking at it, we hit that topic in my intro to econ class. Rather, you should look at if your time spent going to class could be better spend doing anything else, if not, you should attend the class.

[bigblockmatt]

I dont think that participation and attendance should be graded at the college level. One of my favorite teachers graded on 4 tests and a project - but he made it pretty clear, if you dont go to class or dont do the suggested work you probably not going to do well on the tests. i dont think i missed a class.

[vicaphit]

yeah, most profs wont penalize you if you dont go to class, but your grade will reflect your participation because you do bad on the tests.

some profs take it as a personal attack if you don't participate though, and that annoys me.

[kappage]

Well, in IntroDuctory calculous i would probably fail for it, Im always late for class because there is a big hill and msot of the times i cant be bothered walking up it, But i find im still passing quiet well!

[FZ1]

Yes because people have to learn to speak up and participate. This is for several reasons:
1) some people would NEVER participate unless otherwise "forced" to
2) The more people participating, the more robust, interesting & valid the learning experience becomes
3) in the workplace, contributions from EVERY member is essential for a balanced view. Those who don't participate are generally viewed as either ignorant, hard to deal with or unengaged. Not good for your workplace rep if you plan on succeeding.
4) showing up for class is almost always linked to better grades

So, it's good to build participation type habits. That said, there are these other people WHO WON'T SHUT UP! Ha.

[Nein]

I'm a vocal guy, if I don't get something in class, I'll tell you. I've always had a good relationship with my teachers, always been able to sit with them and joke after class. One of my classes this coming semester has a class participation grade (Comp Architecture). Now I don't care, but where all 20-22yrs old here. Participation is something you should just do as part as your education. Easy 5% of my grade if you ask me. What do you guys think?

Yes and No depending upon the classes.

Some classes should definitely required participation - Speech or Political Science for example, and also basic fundamental classes - Physic 101, Calculus 101, Data Processing 101 for example.

Other critical thinking advance classes would not, they're classes where personal thinking or self-attain thoughts required and not group-hugs through the basics. For example, science goals could be set by commitee but science breakthroughs typically couldn't, they nearly always are personal achievements.

E = mc² was not done by committee or group-hugs.

[hainer36]

i honestly hated the participation mark. im not a very vocal guy (one of my many many problems) so i rarely will come forth with the answer. im usually the one beside the guy that speaks up with the correct answer because he was told it, or the one laughing or with a big smile beside the guy with the obviously incorrect answer but was oh so proud to say it.

i ended up dropping out a my program because the college system in ontario or at least from what I've heard, at least the Southern Ontario's college system is really flawed. the teachers did not teach, they gave you the pages to read, assigned some group work (never works, as college students are more lazy and willing to just skip out and drink than actually do work), and then we'd do group presentations (i had 5 in 3 days, in 5 class semesters). I actually wanted to learn and went in almost every class with a cleared state of mind, which i guess i was wrong to do so, because very few people were sober (alcohol or drugs) and i wouldnt even be able to get into a good group because everyone already had thier groups so i was stuck either alone (which was never allowed, though i do my best work alone) or id go into a group where if i didnt do most of the work, nothing would get done or the other members just wouldnt ever show up.

and the way the educational system works in canada is that there are Colleges (basically community colleges in the states) and universitys(more like the higher tierd colleges). college is more hands on, and university is more by the book.