I am not offering excuses to you; I am only offering an explanation.
Reasons why it takes so long to grade assignments
To be as fair as possible, I use this process:
- Read all essays/assignments first.
- Re-read essays, edit, and add comments.
- Score essays on the rubric.
Marking an essay on the computer takes longer than making comments on a written page.
Prior to reading the essays, I have to open your email, open your attachment, and save your essay/assignment to the appropriate folder.
I spend anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes with each essay/assignment. I frequently readjust my scoring to your benefit after re-reading your assignment.
After reading and marking your essays/assignments, I save it again, open a rubric, score the essay, and save the rubric to the appropriate folder. Then I have to go to email, send you an email with attachments, and file your assignment appropriately.
I go through a process just as you do when you write an essay.
The next step is to open Blackboard, go to your class, open it, open the grade book, record your grade, and update the records.
You, however, deserve accolades for being so timely with your course work. Applause!!! Applause!!!
Other indirect influences
- I am teaching six English/Humanities/Education classes, and I use the same grading process with all classes.
- Teaching tasks include more than grading; hours of planning assignments and creating and updating web pages are required.
- I swear I am sleep deprived for all of the hours I invest in grading.
- I grade hours each day.
- Papers waiting to be graded weigh heavy on my mind.
- There is never enough time; I keep running out of time, time after time.
- I admit I could have probably graded at least one essay in the time it took me to create this note to you.
In Short
I apologize for the delays; I appreciate your patience.
You are kind hearted people; thanks so much!