Grading is often one of the most time-consuming aspects of teaching online. However, with a few strategic shifts, faculty can maintain high-quality feedback while easing the grading burden. Conceição and Lehman (2011) recommend structured feedback processes that save time without compromising student learning.
Start by developing detailed rubrics for each assignment. Rubrics help students understand expectations and allow faculty to grade more quickly and consistently. They also reduce the number of questions about grades and provide a foundation for meaningful feedback.
Another helpful tactic is to build a feedback bank. This collection of frequently used comments for common errors or strengths can be copied and customized. Faculty can use these for written, audio, or even video feedback. Video or voice comments often take less time than written responses and feel more personal to students.
Faculty should also consider the weight and importance of different assessments. Not every assignment needs extensive feedback. For smaller tasks, a simple checklist or brief comment may suffice. Save in-depth feedback for major assignments where students can apply the guidance for future growth.
Faculty Tip: Grade smarter, not harder. Use rubrics, reusable comments, and targeted feedback to streamline your process.
Reference
Conceição, S. C., & Lehman, R. M. (2011). Managing Online Instructor Workload: Strategies for Finding Balance and Success. Jossey-Bass.
