Training and Professional Development

  • 20-Minute Mentor: Grading Policies

    Every Monday, Magna Publications provides UConn faculty members with access to a 20-minute video from its “Monday Morning Mentor” presentation series.  This series offers video-based programs designed to answer a specific question related to teaching and learning, delivering actionable insights in highly focused 20-minute presentations designed to fit busy schedules. 

    This week’s program, “What is essential in a grading policy?” can be accessed at http://www.mondaymorningmentors.com; use the following password: grading91.  

    Learn the merits of absolute grading versus grading on a curve, the pluses and minuses of letter-based and point-based grading, and whether—and how—to properly weight assignments across a semester. At the conclusion of this program, you will be able to

    • Articulate the pros and cons of different grading methods
    • Make policy decisions that are aligned with your objectives for student learning
    • Make feedback more meaningful, more constructive, and more reflective of student performance

    The video will be available from Monday, September 5, through Sunday, September 11, 2016.

    Please also note that the University of Connecticut now has a 20-Minute Mentor Commons Subscription.  As a member of our campus community, you now have free access to all of the 20-Minute Mentor videos, which cover a broad range of faculty development topics, at all times. Sign up today and help energize your higher education career:

    STEP 1: Activate your 20-Minute Mentor Commons subscription

    1. Go to www.magnapubs.com/sitelicense/registration.html?v=uconn0622
    2. Enter information in each of the required fields.  In the Authorization Code box, enter our group Authorization Code UCONN752 and click Submit

    Please note: entering the Authorization Code is done only once.

    STEP 2: Access the 20-Minute Mentor Commons library

    1. Go to www.magnapubs.com/profile
    2. Enter your email address & password & click Submit. If you do not know or remember your account password, use “Forget your password?” to reset it.
    3. On the left side of the screen, under My Account, My Online Access, select Subscriptions. The online content you have access to will be listed to the right. Click the appropriate link to view the content.

    Please do not share the Authorization Code with anyone outside our campus community.

    Need help?

    • Call 800-433-0499 ext. 2 (outside the U.S. & Canada call 608-246-3590 ext. 2). Magna’s office hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
    • Email support@magnapubs.com 
    For more information, contact: Laurie Wolfley at laurie.wolfley@uconn.edu