The following guidelines have been developed by Prof. Tyler to communicate to students his criteria for assessing the value of their participation in class. These guidelines assist students to understand grades are arrived at and how they relate to the quality of learning expected by the faculty member.
Participation is the key to a lively class.
Class participation provides the opportunity to practice speaking and persuasive skills, as well as the ability to listen. Comments that are vague, repetitive, unrelated to the current topic, disrespectful of others, or without sufficient foundation will be evaluated negatively. What matters is the quality of one's contributions to the class discussion, not the number of times one speaks. Contributions in class reflect exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are always substantive, provide one or more major insights as well as direction for the class.