Only one group presented. They did a pretty poor job. They disregarded the repeated direction they had been given about using cue cards. Their analysis was so unclear I couldn't tell if it was past analysis or future proposal. The idea was unclear, had illogical objectives (which actually only became apparent at all in the questions session) and was uncreative. Even the presentation was awful with loads of words on each slide, video which had not relevance. Even in the Q&A they admitted that some of the things they had said they didn't know why they said them.
I gave them a D+
As I left the room I thought maybe since the grade was so poor I should explain myself. As it happens, I forgot a sheet of paper (with all the group grades so far... it wasn't a secret but probably fuelled the fire as they'd be able to tell theirs was second bottom so far).
I went back to the room. The group was in a huddle and clearly very pissed off. I offered to explain my grade. They felt I had been unfair. Their peers had given them generous grades (as usual).
I went through my reasons item by item to justify the grade. It meant I had to be very specific in my criticism so it was upsetting for individuals this time not just the group. Some team members had done a particularly poor job.
By the end, I still don't think they agreed with me. I reasoned that they had been through a stressful experience, felt disappointed, and maybe needed some time to reflect on the whole thing and my feedback. I offered to speak to them again in a week.
I also explained that my grade alone made only a small difference to their overall portfolio grade.
I have gone back over it and still feel that their presentation really was bad ... but the kind of bad where there's been quite a lot of effort put in. I'm wondering if I should have given a C- rather than a D+ which probably would have made all the difference to how they felt about it. Did I need to knock them down so far. Is there any way I can make sure I haven't ruined them for presenting forever!! Must discuss this with Sally.
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