In FASS, we've been told we can't drop the final if it's worth more than 20% of the total grade, but we can offer an alternative online assessment, presumably one that would offer students a chance to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding, and skills. Some students may be counting on the final to bring their grade up, for a variety of reasons.
My preference would be for a reflective essay in which students talk about what and how they've learned in the course, what they still struggle with, how they might apply this in their lives outside the class, etc.
Chris, do you have to mark the 230+ exams by yourself or do you have TAs?
Nicky
I am a really strong advocate of eliminating the final exam. You could take the mid-term exam and extrapolate a grade, or you could take the current average. If students can make the case that their final exam would have raised their grade, then do different math.
If this were an Earthquake with buildings fall around us, would we be having these conversations???
Folks, please get real about this situation. Let's appreciate the great learning that we're been able to accomplish and just get the semester done as quickly as possible.