Red Pen or Not to Red Pen?
My TA duties are grading an advanced calculus class. As I was receiving the first homework assignment to grade, a thought came to my mind: I need a red pen. But why a red pen? I've always seen my work graded in red. According to
the Boston Globe,
Red's legacy as the color used in correcting papers and marking mistakes goes back to the 1700s, the era of the quill pen. In those days, red ink was used by clerks and accountants to correct ledgers. From there, it found its way into teachers' hands.
The article also answered one of my other questions: what other color can I used besides red? Well, it seems that purple is the color de jour. A page marked up in purple is not considered as negative as one marked up in red, thus encouraging the students. But the color of the marking doesn't (or shouldn't) affect the grade. Plus there's nothing wrong with pointing out errors, that's how most people learn. So should I stay with the tried and true, centuries old tradition of correcting in red, or go with today's self esteem building fad of using purple? I think the answer will be which color is cheaper.
Labor on Labor Day
Much to my surprise, classes will be held next Monday, which happens to fall on Labor Day. I must preface my gripe with the fact that I only have one fifty minute class Monday, but this is a matter of principle. What's so bad about Labor Day? Every school I've ever gone to, or heard of, has had Labor Day off. I was under the impression that the only people who actually have to do something on Labor Day are those poor, unfortunate souls that work in retail.
During this school year, A&M's having holidays at all the other standard times: Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Spring Break, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. Where's Labor Day? According to
this HR page:
The state legislature determines the number of holidays, and the A&M System Board of Regents approves the specific days based on the recommendations of the TAMU president.
(I have a printed version of this site dated 7/29 that reads
TAMU's chief executive officer
in the place
the TAMU president
.) So this is not some random act, but some higher-ups made this decision. I've got to ask them, what were you thinking?
