Grading: Circles and X's

[dmhr25]

I am a teacher at an elementary school.  My students all grade their work by circling the answer if it is correct and putting an 'x' on the answer if it is wrong.  My KT wants me to grade the midterms this way too.  I find this approach unnecessary, besides making the papers very cluttered.  Using circles to indicate right answers typically results in information in the paper being covered up - so the students have a hard time re-reading the questions they got right.

Further, I find it difficult to tabulate grades with so much red marker on the page.  I was always taught that if it's right, don't do anything to the answer, and if the answer is wrong, then the 'x' comes in.

Was anyone else brought up with the circle and 'x' way of grading?  I just can't understand the benefit to this approach...  Does anyone know why the Koreans do it this way?

[HurricaneJ]

I'm used to the X mark for wrong and the tick mark (think Nike) for correct.
It's a bit strange using the circles alright but hey, that's what they're used to and it saves time and confusion just to try and adapt to their way. The few times I accidentally used the tick mark last year, kids got upset because they thought their work was wrong.

[bebuggery]

Yes, it does seem like a lot of unnecessary clutter to state the obvious: if it's not wrong and marked with an x, what else could it be?

I've been using a highlighter with the same system, since it gets the grading information across without obscuring the students' work. If they're not picky about color (I use blue cause it's the most visible without being opaque), that might be an option for you.

[Paul]

The issue here is that the Korean standard is the opposite to the Western. Almost 100% the opposite. A tick here can mean wrong (its a half-arsed cross, you see) and a circle correct. In Aus at least, a circle is common for "this bit here is wrong, but small so please go back and correct it" whereas a cross means more "irredeemably wrong, you'd have to redo the question if needed". And a tick naturally means good.

I realised this pretty quickly when one of my good 3rd grade students got all sad-like when I ticked a correct answer. Heart-wrenching stuff mate. D:

What I do now is a draw a spiral-flower on the corner of the work if its acceptable (this was force of habit for me anyway due to a previous compromise), I underline incorrect bits for them to correct (sometimes withholding the spiral) and draw little smileys next to exceptionally good stuff (for example, in writing practice next to my "favourite" letter they wrote to give them constructive feedback), as I really just can't bring myself to using the inverted Korean system in a foreign language class. When something is just plain "correct" it gets a dot as a note to myself. The kids go nuts for the spiral-flowers anyway. I actually used to know a teacher who'd draw a basic cartoon version of himself smiling on the exceptional pieces.

Naturally this is elementary level. At middle or higher I think I'd probably explain to them the cultural difference.

[Brirish]

It's not just Korea that does this, they do it all over East Asia. It's just a different system. Either teach the students the system you want to use (they will have to be taught it, they won't know it instinctively) or stick with what they already know. Talk to your coteachers about it as well, let them know what you think.

[dmhr25]

I guess I just can't appreciate the cultural difference in this situation.  (I fully acknowledge it's a pretty minor thing.)  I believe that there are some things that are done better in Korea and other things done better in the U.S.  However, for most things there are good reasons for the things both Koreans and Westerners do.  I just can't understand the benefit to using the Circles.  I asked my KT and she said it's just how it's always been...

I like the idea of using highlighter instead of the scary red pen, though - at least then they can see through the markings to see their original work.

[Mads]

The issue here is that the Korean standard is the opposite to the Western. Almost 100% the opposite. A tick here can mean wrong (its a half-arsed cross, you see) and a circle correct. In Aus at least, a circle is common for "this bit here is wrong, but small so please go back and correct it" whereas a cross means more "irredeemably wrong, you'd have to redo the question if needed". And a tick naturally means good.

Yeah, I'm from SA and what you're explaining, is pretty much our system too. I thought ''wth'' the first time I experienced their system, and just knew I'd never be able to get into the habit of making an "0" for ''correct'' ... I did however run it by my Korean colleagues, and they said it's fine if I stick to the system I'm used to. So I kinda compromised.
I check/tick the correct answers if it's a test (makes counting easier), but leave it blank if it's just homework or whatever, always cross the incorrect answers AND then I make a huge heart (girls)/star (boys) over all of it to keep the students happy. If it's particularly good work, they can expect a sticker/hand drawn smiley/commentary too. Oh, and they also seem to love it when I ''sign'' my name in cursive when I check their work.

[korr]

Honestly? Just use their system. It's not worth making a fuss about it, especially since changing things might confuse the students. If you're really worried about the marker, just use one of those big colored pencil/crayon things that the elementary schoolers are always carrying around. Or you can just make a circle or x over the question number instead of over the whole question. That way the students know exactly what you mean and you're not covering up any information.