myrmepropagandist1d ago

RE: https://mastodon.social/@arstechnica/116397070356098122

In an ideal world courses would have pass/fail grades if they have grades at all. Grades get in the way of learning. (Students turn to LLMs to save their grades.)

So, I think part of this tension goes back to what we grade and why.

I'm lucky that in math I only ever assign grades for in-class tests.

In my CS classes I lean a lot on sharing student work. Fortunately my students like to show off for each other. They are excited to see what I and their peers think of their projects.

Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago

Teacher feedback is precious. It takes time to read and write comments and provide guidance. Doing that kind of work on LLM slop is depressing. The teacher could have been writing feedback for a student who did the work and might learn from it.

How can the way we present this feedback emphisize its value?

What about "you may submit 3 essays per term for feedback" the feedback isn't a grade, it's just comments to help you when you write the final essay in class without an LLM?

Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago
When I was in school I always wished my teachers would write more comments on my essays. I just wanted someone to read them and be impressed. I don't think that's changed.
Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago

Feedback is also a limited resource and students don't understand this since they think teachers have infinite time.

Maybe the way that it's presented needs to make it more clear that this is something of value, not a punishment... which is how younger kids can see it.

eg. "Decide what you want me to read, I only have time to do this two times."

I think fewer students would give LLM content in that context.

It is, frankly, rude to give someone a bunch of LLM text to read.

Show threadAsakiyume

@futurebird

--to the "something of value, not a punishment" part,

I was like you in liking feedback, but I think it's because I received mainly positive or encouraging comments, which I think means I had teachers who valued that. I think that some kids have the experience of teachers who just write. "No" and "Explain" and "Word choice??" which can be deflating and discouraging and can lead them to not want feedback.

(And/But it's also true that they think teachers have unlimited time!)

Apr 13 at 11:55amWeb
Show threadLizzie1d ago
@asakiyume @futurebird

Slightly tangential but I fairly recently learned that people with ADHD tend to be oversensitive to negatives due to difficulty regulating emotions, and even the most well meaning feedback or critique can feel about the same as being completely torn down. So unfortunately for some people even constructive and encouraging feedback can ring out negatively.

Hell, I've seen it with myself lots, and only now know why.
Show threadAsakiyume1d ago

@AngelicAura @futurebird

Yeah, that's another thing a teacher can learn--the sensitivities of individual students. But it's hard, given how overburdened they are.

Show threadLizzie1d ago
@asakiyume @futurebird
That is true, I would never expect a teacher to go to so much additional effort. Well, at least not with how education is set up in much of the world nowadays.

Just wanted to offer another perspective!
Show threadAsakiyume1d ago
@AngelicAura @futurebird Very glad to have it! There are so many sides and aspects to any idea, discussion--anything really.