[Larry Jaques]

On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:15:26 -0700, the infamous Ernie Leimkuhler
scrolled the following:

In article ,
Ignoramus11155 wrote:

The welding class I am taking involves computer (web based)
testing. There are pre-tests and post-tests. Pre-tests do not count
towards the grade and can be taken on their website many times. After
submitting a pre-test, I can see right answers and my wrong answers
corrected. The point of it is to gauge the students' knowledge and
help them work with materials, as well as to compare progress. So it
is very convenient, results of them can be printed out, with answers,
for further study, etc.

The post-tests, however, can be taken only once and do count towards
final grade. There is one pair of tests per topic, like O/A welding
tests, stick welding tests etc.

Both kinds of tests, I think, can be taken from home. Which is all
very convenient. Right?

But here's something interesting: pre-tests are identical to post
tests, as becomes very obvious if you open the post-test right after
pre-test.

I leave the conclusions up to the readers.

When I started teaching evenings at South Seattle, they told me I would
have to give weekly quizzes, a midterm and a final exam.

What an absolutely ludicrous idea for an evening hobby welding class.

In 9 years I never gave a quiz, or midterm.
My final exam consisted of 2 questions.

What is your name?
What grade should you get?

Nobody at South Seattle ever bothered me about it.
Every student who wanted a grade, got an A.

I never felt any guilt about it.

Ah, there's nothing like a good chuckle to start the morning, Ernie.
Thanks for that one. g

--
Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous
delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.
--e e cummings