This appendix provides the necessary guidelines to enact paperless grading. It has been written specifically for my chemistry classes, so some comments may not be appropriate for other courses.
I tell them specifically which programs and versions will work for paperless grading. I also tell them which assignments will be open to the paperless grading option in the event that a certain project should require a hard copy. Timelines for submission of projects should also be explained to prevent the "Internet ate my paper" excuse. I have found the Mt. Hood Community College internet server to be dependable in the delivery of paperless reports.
The students receiving graded paperless reports back from the instructor will benefit from having their version of Word properly configured, and I supply them with a "test document" (available for downloading from the Web) to confirm the accuracy of their settings. Problems can be worked out in advance of assignment due dates should they occur.
Note that you can change the color scheme used here if so desired. Changes should be made under the "Tools - Options - Track Changes" option. Currently I reserve red for instructor comments and corrections, blue for deleted text (when tracking changes), green for the highlighter color and violet for the mark made outside the sections of text where tracked changes were made.
Finally, I always supply my email address to them in case questions arise. This should be as painless for them as it is for us, and I want to know what problems they might be experiencing.
Submitting Labs and Papers Electronically
You have the option this term of submitting your labs and papers electronically this term. This is an experiment that will undoubtedly experience growing pains, so your feedback will be greatly appreciated.Requirements for Electronic Submissions
You must be using Microsoft Word 97 (Windows) or Microsoft Word 98 (Macintosh). Newer versions of Word? Save as a Microsoft Word 97 file. No other word processing programs (WordPerfect, etc.) can be supported at this time. In addition, you may not use red text, blue text or the green highlight color in your paper - these will be necessary for grading.What May Be Submitted Electronically
All labs, class presentation papers and extra credit presentation papers may be submitted electronically. Homework, quizzes, etc. may not be submitted electronically unless given permission by the instructor.Configuring Microsoft Word for Electronic Submissions
For Windows Computers:
Select "Tools - Options - View", then make sure the "Show Screen Tips" and "Highlight" buttons are selected.Select "Tools - Options - Track Changes". Under "Inserted Text", select "Mark: Underline" and "Color: Red". Under "Deleted text", select "Mark: Strikethrough" and "Color: Blue". Under "Changed lines", select "Mark: Outside Border" and "Color: Violet".Select "View - Toolbars - Reviewing" if it is not selected already. The reviewing toolbar has a highlight button - select the light green color (top row, second from left).For Macintosh Computers:
Select "Tools - Preferences - View", then make sure the "Show Screen Tips" and "Highlight" buttons are selected.Select "Tools - Preferences - Track Changes". Under "Inserted Text", select "Mark: Underline" and "Color: Red". Under "Deleted text", select "Mark: Strikethrough" and "Color: Blue". Under "Changed lines", select "Mark: Outside Border" and "Color: Violet".Select "View - Toolbars - Reviewing" if it is not selected already. The reviewing toolbar has a highlight button - select the light green color (top row, second from left).How to Submit Papers Electronically
Save your paper in Microsoft Word as a Word Document. The preferred method to submit a paper electronically is to copy the file to a floppy disk (PC or Macintosh) and turn it in to me.You may also submit it over the Internet using electronic mail. Email the paper to mike.russell@mhcc.edu. The paper must be in my electronic mailbox by 5 PM; if the Internet is down, your paper will be late.What you will see in your returned paper
Your returned paper will have comments made by me. Yellow highlights indicate a comment - merely run your mouse over the yellow comment to see my notes. Green highlights indicate emphasis by me. You may see words in blue crossed out followed by red words - these are changes I have made to your paper. Finally at the end you will see a score in red which will be your grade. If you have any questions, please let me know.An example of a "corrected" lab may be obtained on the Chem 221 web page; the address is:
Questions may always be directed to Dr. Michael A. Russell (mike.russell@mhcc.edu, 503-491-7348).
Return to the Table of Contents for "Beyond the Internet Syllabus".
Return to the TLC Proposal Homepage.
Questions about this material should be addressed to the author,
Dr. Michael A. Russell,
Professor of Chemistry at
Mt. Hood Community College
Gresham, Oregon
Last Updated on January 21, 2000