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Freshmen at Thomas Aquinas College are known to tremble at the thought of their first “Don Rags.” When they experience this unusual form of assessment though, most agree that rather than a fearsome encounter with faculty, the Don Rag is a useful appraisal of progress. According to Dean of the College Dr. Michael McLean, Don Rags are part of the Oxford model of education whereby professors, known as Dons, would review the academic progress of their students, or “rag” on their lack thereof. At Thomas Aquinas College, the Don Rag is likewise a forum for members of the teaching faculty (“tutors”) to review student work. The focus, however, is on giving constructive criticism so as to encourage better performance in the classroom. Members of each class at the College are divided into “sections” of between 15 and 18 students who take classes together throughout the year. Rather quickly, each section develops its own characteristics, reflecting those of its members. Explains Dean McLean, “Since our classes depend on the dynamic of a section, good student participation is essential. Yet, that doesn’t necessarily come naturally. There are ways in which tutors can help students participate better, and the Don Rag is a great forum for doing that.” Twice a year, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors take part in Don Rags. A student and his or her tutors meet together in a classroom where tutors discuss among themselves the student’s performance. “What is unusual and may be daunting in the beginning,” says Dr. McLean, “is that the conversation proceeds as though the student were not present in the room; all comments are made in the third-person.” During the course of the 10-20 minute meeting, tutors converse about a student’s performance. Says Dr. McLean, “It really works very well to have the tutors assembled together. They can work off one another’s comments, and they sometimes amend their reports to reflect what a colleague has said; not infrequently, one tutor’s comment may trigger something in the mind of another.” When the tutors have completed their remarks, the student is then asked if he or she has any comments or suggestions, and a short discussion may ensue. Timing of Don Rags is crucial. They are held once a semester, but scheduled so they occur neither too early in the term, when faculty members do not yet have a clear picture of a student’s strengths and weaknesses, nor so late that the student does not have time to implement the suggestions for improvement. The results, according to the Dean, are generally good. “After Don Rags,” he says, “tutors often report improvement in the overall dynamic of a section. They also see changes in the performance and behavior of individual students.” Dean McLean continues, “The practice of Don Rags has been very helpful to the College through the years. Because the student is asked to comment on his tutors’ evaluation, it is very much in the mode of the school as a community of learners and friends.”
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Winter 2007 |
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