Problem Set Guidelines

Tips for completing your problem sets:
1.	Avoid using blue ink and red ink on your problem sets, since those are the colors used for comments and grading.
2.	Always staple your problem sets. Stapling carries the weight of one problem on each problem set.
3.	Try working through problems on your own first, then try to help each other out. Educational research consistently shows that students working together learn better than students working alone. You must each turn in your own problem set, but I encourage you to work together.
4.	Variations of many of the problems are included in QWiz Plus. After trying the problems on your own, but before the problem set due date, consider using QWiz Plus to help you check your answers.

Evaluating and grading problem sets: Procedure:
1.	In class on the problem set due date, I will collect the problem sets and then redistribute them so that you each end up with someone else's problem set.
2.	The problem set answer key will be available online immediately after class.
3.	You will then have until the next class session to add suggestions to the classmate's problem set, based on how it compares to the online answer key. For details, see tips below.  Note: You do not have to comment on parts of questions where the answer key says "this is a pretty hard question."
4.	At the next class session, I will collect the marked problem sets to evaluate.

Homework scoring:
1.	Your total homework grade is based equally on your own problem set and on the suggestions you make on the problem set you review.
2.	For each problem I check, I will award two scores in the margin in the format: 'score1 / score2'. Each score is a + (3 points), check (2 points), - (1 point), 0 (0 points). So a sample score might look like: check / +
	(1)	Score 1 is based on the original answer and you earn that score for your own problem set.
	(2)	Score 2 is what the answer would have earned if the reviewer's suggestions had been incorporated. You earn that score for the problem set you review.
3.	Try working through problems on your own first, then try to help each other out. Educational research consistently shows that students working together learn better than students working alone. You must each turn in your own problem set, but I encourage you to work together.
4.	Variations of many of the problems are included in QWiz Plus. After trying the problems on your own, but before the problem set due date, consider using QWiz Plus to help you check your answers.
5.	Important note: With this procedure it is crucial that you turn your problem set in on time and that you have your assigned problem set marked and ready by the following class meeting. Missing either deadline results in a score of zero for the "second score" portion of the assignment.

Tips for reviewing problem sets (Note: You are not responsible for determining a grade, only verifying answers with check marks and offering suggestions when you come across mistakes.):
1.	Use a blue ink pen for marking the problem set. Mark the key part of each answer--a check mark if right, an X if wrong (more details follow). If an answer is unmarked, I will assume you did not grade it.
2.	Use a check mark to indicate "good things"--parts of answers you were looking for and found when comparing the answers to the answer key. For a question with three parts (a,b,c), you should have at least 3 check marks, one for each part. Do not pur your check mark in the margin; put it near the part of the answer you were looking for that convinced you it was right.
	(1)	Example 1: if the correct answer is "Since price and total revenue move in the same direction, demand is inelastic," and the student wrote that, put your check mark by the word "inelastic."
	(2)	Example 2: for a curve in a diagram, put a check mark by the label of the curve if the student drew and labeled it correctly.
	(3)	Example 3: When the answer consists of a column of similar numerical values, you may put a single check at the top or bottom of the column rather than a check mark for each specific value.
3.	Use an 'X' to mark mistakes you find. Some suggestion/correction should accompany each 'X' you make.
	(1)	For suggestions, avoid just writing out the answer-key answer. Try to figure out what might help the student get the answer right instead. For example, if a student misuses a formula, suggest the correct formula to use.
	(2)	If a student skips an answer, you do not have to provide it--all you have to do is mark an 'X' and write "See answer key."
4.	At the top/front of the problem set, write "Reviewed by" and your name.