Class Participation

Means of Measurement:

A student’s participation in the classroom is revealed through his/her contributions to the following activities:

1. whole-class discussion

            2. responses to cold-calling questions

            3. collaborative work in groups

            4. contribution to group projects or presentations discussions

            5. office consultations with the professor

            6. participation in email discussions/forums

Value of Measurement:

Class participation gives students a chance to practice Spanish in a communicative setting.  It allows them to learn from each other and hear different ways of interpreting and applying class material.  In an environment of open and constructive communication, students can integrate many more examples of speech into their assembly of verbal skills.

Method of Measurement: 

In order to determine a student’s class participation grade, the instructor will consider the following criteria.

1)  Peer Assessment:  One member from each student group, one who is periodically rotated, will daily assign a participation grade for each member of his/her group.  This grade will be based on the holistic chart “Scoring Class Participation”.

2)  Professor’s Assessment:  The professor will periodically measure each student’s class participation by means of attendance, pop quiz scores, random review questions, contribution to sustained group conversations or improvisations, and instructor grades granted according to the holistic chart “Scoring Class Participation”.  Some consideration can be given to outside engagement or contributions (for instance, office visits or materials supporting student activity-- notebooks, flashcards, tutoring, etc.).