Rigorous Grading Using Microsoft Word AutoCorrect

The following is an excerpt about electronic grading file naming strategies that lead to faster grading techniques from my new 2014 Westphalia book entitled, Rigorous Grading Using Microsoft Word AutoCorrect: Plus Google Docs.

Time Saving Ideas to Downloading, Naming Student Papers, and Electronic Gradebook Entry

If your online platform requires you to download student papers to a folder or directory on your hard drive, it is suggested that students be required to use a file naming convention with a minimum of their first name and last initial. Using a naming convention will save the instructor grading time. Suggested syllabus language to require students to use such a file name could read like this:

All assignments must be uploaded and submitted to your Individual Assignment box/folder/account. All assignments that require a Word.doc attachment should be named using your first name, last initial, followed by an underscore, and the main assignment name (or week it is due).

For example: MaryD_Wk1.doc.

There are several benefits of requiring the student to use his or her first name as well as an extended file name. However, these benefits will not likely work if your online platform allows you to download all the files at once. If this is the case, each paper will be contained inside each student’s folder.

1. The instructor can easily reference the student by first name during the grading process just by looking up at the top of the open window to view the student’s name. Personalizing the paper with the student’s name provides a sense of immediacy creating a positive relationship between student and instructor (Mehrabian 2007). No longer is it necessary to scroll up to the cover page to remember the student’s name.

2. The instructor can more easily download and better categorize such assignment files by week, by team, by topic based on the required category following the underscore.

3. Finally, to save more time during grading, once these individual student files are downloaded, the instructor can (a) highlight all the files collectively by clicking on the first file to highlight it, (b) scroll down to the last file in the list, and (c) while holding down the shift key, right click and select “Open” so all files open simultaneously. These steps only work on a PC.

4. After using AutoCorrect to grade, rename the file, with the score of the paper earned in the file name itself. For example,
   MaryD_Wk1_89.doc. When it is time to manually enter grades into an electronic type grade book system, the instructor can simply open the directory or folder where the assignments are stored, view the individual score coupled with the student name as shown in the file name itself.

When it comes to substantive student paper feedback, particularly repetitive feedback comments, Word AutoCorrect is a great choice. By supplementing these canned comments with personalized remarks representing your unique subject matter expertise, grading can be done faster and more consistently between students. Consistency in grading can set a new department standard in your school’s core curriculum and no longer may students complain they did not receive consistent substantive feedback.

Does your school using Google Docs instead of Word?  My new book features the steps necessary to enable AutoCorrect action for Google Docs too and it includes many APA and MLA comments to get you started right away! 

Come Meet Erik Bean, Ed.D

The following is a list of several workshops related to grading or writing lessons coming in November 2014:

Brighton, Michigan: Join Erik Bean, Ed.D., at the Third Annual MACUL Michigan Google Educator's Conference as he demonstrates features of Google Docs including auto including essay feedback, inserting rubrics and MLA or APA consistent comments just by using acronyms on your keyboard! You’ll also learn how to properly name electronic files to better personalize papers and to more readily enter scores in electronic grade books. Grading has never been this rigorous and this fast with your normative and summative comments!  #migoogle @michGoogle

Havre, MT: Join Erik Bean, Ed.D. at Montana State University - Northern, Havre on Saturday, Nov. 15th, 2014 for two faculty workshop sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. as he demonstrates the step-by-step processes of using Microsoft Word AutoCorrect to grade faster and more rigorously. Contact the Provost Office for more details. @MSUNorthern #MSUNorthern

Washington, D.C., Join Erik Bean, Ed.D. at the Annual Convention of The National Council of Teachers of English, Washington, D.C., Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 2014, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., Gaylord National Resort. Erik is part of a panel on how to motive students to write and will be discussing his latest tested lesson dubbed Beatnik YouTube Poetry Lesson… Selected from more than 2,000 proposals. @NCTE

​​Also visit GradingEfficiently.com or CommonCoreLessonPlans.com