When we started this particular class activity, I knew exactly what the professor was trying to accomplish. He was putting us in a chaotic situation which would show us the difficulties of management. So when the floor opened for discussion, I sat back and let it be resolved on its own. I knew that the input I would provide would be thought by other members and would be rejected.
The proposal I thought of was that of the two tests we would take, one would count less in terms of percentage. For example, the lower score would count for 5% and the higher score would count for 35%. I felt, as some other classmates did, that there should be some degree of responsibility that the individual should take when they aren't successful. So if you did get a bad score, you should take responsibility, either of taking the test too lightly or not studying properly. Evidence that other people did well shows that it wasn't an unfair exam even though it was unorthodox.
But that is just my view which would've been shot down because I understand that people would like to leave class with nice letter grade and a bad score counting against you would hinder it. So when the opportunity of dropping and curving came up, I knew people would jump at it. Since it was the most lenient and it benefited those who didn't do so well and didn't take way from those who did do well, it was the best option in the utilitarian sense.
I feel I used the "avoidance" method but not to its strict definition. I expected there would be a resolution but that my input wouldn't really affect the decision and would just take up time. If I had time to make a proposal and had time to think about how to present the importance of individual responsibility in this case, maybe I would've spoken up. But I understand that in the future we will need to make decisions with time constraints similar to the one we encountered so maybe I need to be more vocal and assertive in the future. Even though my ideas won't be accepted, it is another proposal to consider and maybe it will get people thinking about future decisions that they might make.
It is important that we all get heard but with the time constraint and 80 people in the classroom, its hard to get input from every single individual. The reality is most people were looking for a way that they could individually benefit first, and then thought about it in the group context. It is not a bad thing...it is just human nature. But I feel after some convincing to those who opposed the final proposal, we came up with a solution that benefited everyone and that is the most important thing in my opinion. I similarly, even though had my own views, went along with the solution so everyone could benefit.
One more thing, multiple multiple choice is great. I don't know why people didn't like it. You lose less points missing a circle than getting the entire question wrong if there was only once choice. I am glad we decided to keep it!!
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3 comments:
I agree that the decission was to be made under time constrain and every one was raising their voice against their own benefit but, it is also important to take ideas of others. For example, one guy was just voting and was telling the class room that we should move to the other part and how can we decide it today.. But, some one from back had an idea which none of us wanted to listen to him. And, that was probably the best idea to solve joel's issue.
Even though we cannot make every one happy in the process of decission making, i think we must listen to other people's idea.
See you in class
I certainly understand your argument for having used the avoidance method in this decision making activity. I actually did so myself. My reasons were very much similar to yours. Considering the large amount of students in the class i thought it would make it harder to come up with a decision if all of us came up with different ideas. I knew we had to come up with a decision that we all agreed on and i was almost sure that that decision would benefit everyone. Indeed it did. Next i am going to try to get more involved because I think it's good to have your ideas heard....
I can understand that you didn't want to participate because you think that the class would reject your ideas. Naturally that's normal to feel that way, but I'm one not care I like to take an active role and if my ideas are rejected then fine but at least I know I tried to make an impact or make a difference. I also understand not everyone is the same and I don't blame you for your approach. I do have to say that I think you're idea is great maybe not just have the the first test be worth 5% and the second exam be worth 35% but I would have also added to put the curve for the first test. It would have been great to hear your idea or even for you to speak up, I mean the professor did say that those that are usually shy or don't say anything sometimes have the best ideas/ But anyways the clas decision, I think, was still a good decision as a whole and I'm glad everyone will benefit from it. I also have to admit that the multiple multiple choice method of testing has grown on me and I'm starting to like it now.
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