Kurall_creator Offical Thread

[Kurall_Creator]

Hey guys. I am so proud of myself today. 5 of 7 class marks have come in for this semester, and I'm at a 82 per cent average, which means I am probably on the dean's list.

I am so proud of myself, and the journey I had this year. But now that my first project is fully done, I have to go onto the next, which is going to be really cool. I turn back the clock on the stories, and tell the origin of Kurall, how he learned of his ability and his growth from childhood to just before the first issue web comic.

It's probably going to take 2-3 months, maybe even late August before I am done it, but that is my next goal for myself.

After that, I think I am going to do things a little differently.

So, I am starting this thread, just to talk about my journey with all of you.

I hope you all keep tuning in to the same Kurall Time and the same Kurall channel when I post something up on this.

I am so excited for the next step.

[SaintOlaf]

[TotusTuusMaria]

congrats!!!

[Slappo]

[quote name='Kurall_Creator' post='1855194' date='May 1 2009, 09:11 PM']Hey guys. I am so proud of myself today. 5 of 7 class marks have come in for this semester, and I'm at a 82 per cent average, which means I am probably on the dean's list.[/quote]

What country or school is that? Every school I know in America requires a 3.5gpa for deans list (about an 89-90% average).

[Kurall_Creator]

[quote name='Slappo' post='1855418' date='May 2 2009, 09:51 AM']What country or school is that? Every school I know in America requires a 3.5gpa for deans list (about an 89-90% average).[/quote]

You must be going to university or something.

It's always been get 80 per cent it was a 4.0 GP in a course.

Then you took the GPs of all our courses multiply it by course credits, and then once you get the total GP for all courses, you divided by the GP and get the GPA.

For Example,
7 courses

Course 1 - 5 credits - 70 per cent average (or 3 GP) - total 15 Grade Points
Course 2 - 3 credits - 75 (or 3) - total 9 grade points.
Course 3 - 3 credits - 70 (or 3) - total 9 grade points.
Course 4 - 2 credits - 85 (4) - total 8 grade points.
Course 5 - 2 credits - 90(4) - total 8 grade points.
Course 6 - 1 credits - 95(1) - total 4 grade points.

15 + 9 + 9 + 8 + 8 + 4 = 53 Grade Points.
Total Possible Grade Points - 64 grade points.

53/64 = 82 per cent average and a GPA of 3.3. Added to this - they take the marks and multiply it by the credit level of the course too for your average.

so in that example it would be - 350 + 225 + 210 + 170 + 180 + 95 (This actually makes it harder - as you can see - before the two 2 credit courses had 8 gps, which is 90 per cent of the 9 gps for the 3 credit course, now they are substancially reduced)

That would mean - They would get a 76 per cent average - and not be on the deans list. Where the old system they would be close, this one there are a little farther away.

That's kinda how my marking system works at college. Not all courses are treated equally, There is one that is always weighted the most, but it is the most important in the course.

In my course, the 5 credit course is Animation (Hey, the course is a 3d-animation course, so who would figure that would be the most heavily weighed course).

Right now my marks are

Animation - 5 credits - no mark yet.
Networking - 2 credits - no mark yet.
CD/DVD production - 3 credits - 85 - 12 credits.
Web Design - 3 credits - 83 - 12 credits.
Art Direction - 2 credits - 81 - 8 credits.
Programming - 2 credits - 85 - 8 credits.
Marketing - 1 credit - 72 - 3 credits.

So right now I have a 43 credits of 44 in the old system. To get on the deans list I would only need to get a C in animation and a B in networking, which wouldn't really be fair to be on the deans list, because if someone is only getting a C is the highest graded course to be on the Deans List is ridiculous.

However, if you take it down to per centages - I have 908 weighted average (marks compared to grade points). To be on the deans list this semester I have to have 1440 weighted average, so an extra 532 weighted average. That means I have to pretty much get a A (80 or higher) in Animation to be on the deans list.

I hope that explains my marking system.

It's a lot tougher to get on the Deans list than the previous ways.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Kurall_Creator

[Slappo]

Wierd.. an 80% is an A?
It's a 93% for an A here... 80% is a -B

System here is:
Each credit is worth up to 4.0 quality points
Here is a breakdown of the mark needed to get points.
A (93-100) = 4.0 points per credit
-A (90-92) = 3.7 points per credit
+B (88-89) = 3.3 points per credit
B (83-87) = 3.0 ...etc
-B (80-82) = 2.7
+C (78-79) = 2.3
C (73-77) = 2.0
ETC...

An A in a 3 credit course is worth 4.0points*3 credits = 12

To get deans list you have to have a 3.5gpa (3.5 quality point average per credit. Quality points/total credits)

For deans list with 16 credit (which is what I am taking) I then need 56 quality points out of a maximum of 64.

The number of credits a class is is usually determined by the number of hours a week are spent in the classroom. I have a seminar class which is only 1 hour a week so it is only 1 credit. Some math classes are 4 credit classes because they meet 4 days a week. Most classes are 3 credits.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Slappo

[SaintOlaf]

I totally have no idea how his grades work, I just sat there and tried to figure it out.... I'll just take his word for it

[Slappo]

I kind of understand your marking system now. I had to read over it again...

The big difference is you get full grade points for an 82% where as at my school you would only get 2.7 grade points. So at my school your **/** would be:

Animation - 5 credits - no mark yet.
Networking - 2 credits - no mark yet.
CD/DVD production - 3 credits - 85 - 9 points
Web Design - 3 credits - 83 - 9 points
Art Direction - 2 credits - 81 - 5.4 points
Programming - 2 credits - 85 - 6 points
Marketing - 1 credit - 72 - 1.7 points
31.1/44 total so far
which would be a GPA of 31.1/11 (number of points/number of credits) =2.8272
If you got a 100 in animation and a 100 in networking you still couldn't make deans list at my school.

Animation 5 credits - 100 - 20 points
Networking 2 credits - 100 - 8 points
would give you 59.1/72 possible.
59.1/17 (points/credits) = 3.4764

You would be just shy of the deans list.

I don't really see how the old system was easier

[Slappo]

[quote name='SaintOlaf' post='1855489' date='May 2 2009, 10:40 AM']I totally have no idea how his grades work, I just sat there and tried to figure it out.... I'll just take his word for it [/quote]

What they do is:
Number of credits * grade percent

15 credit hours would have a possible 1500 points

He is saying that with 1700 possible points he needs a 1440 = an 84.7% average.

That's a really odd system.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Slappo

[SaintOlaf]

OK I get it now, thanks for breaking it down into non-math-wizz terms for me

[Kurall_Creator]

[quote name='Slappo' post='1855517' date='May 2 2009, 12:57 PM']I kind of understand your marking system now. I had to read over it again...

The big difference is you get full grade points for an 82% where as at my school you would only get 2.7 grade points. So at my school your **/** would be:

Animation - 5 credits - no mark yet.
Networking - 2 credits - no mark yet.
CD/DVD production - 3 credits - 85 - 9 points
Web Design - 3 credits - 83 - 9 points
Art Direction - 2 credits - 81 - 5.4 points
Programming - 2 credits - 85 - 6 points
Marketing - 1 credit - 72 - 1.7 points
31.1/44 total so far
which would be a GPA of 31.1/11 (number of points/number of credits) =2.8272
If you got a 100 in animation and a 100 in networking you still couldn't make deans list at my school.

Animation 5 credits - 100 - 20 points
Networking 2 credits - 100 - 8 points
would give you 59.1/72 possible.
59.1/17 (points/credits) = 3.4764

You would be just shy of the deans list.

I don't really see how the old system was easier [/quote]


I think I can see the differences. Correct me if I am wrong, but the way your marketing system works is you are marked in comparison to the other students in the class, based on criteria. In Canada, there is a somewhat different approach.

Let me break down one of my assignments I had in Art Direction. My prof there always provides this kind of feed back when she supplies marks.

Needs much improvement Marginally under expectations Minimally met Expectations Met Expectations Met Expectations very well Outstanding job
ESSAY [15%]: research completed as requested, writing style, use of grammar and spelling, fun factor for reader

(3 points)
Did not include most areas that were requested (as included on Project sheet) and/or poor use of grammar and spelling. Did not use "own voice" in writing.

(5 points)
Did not cover enough areas as requested on Project sheet. Poor use of grammar and spelling in many spaces. Did not use "own voice" in writing.

(7.5 points)
Marginally covered areas requested; grammar and spelling incorrect in several places. Could use more opinions and commentary rather than just fact.

(11 points)
Covered most areas as requested, acceptable use of grammar, spelling. Used some of own observations and opinions interspersed with facts.

(13 points) (My mark for my essay)
Good job in covering areas requested in an entertaining fashion, good use of grammar, spelling. Fun to read!

(15 points)
Exceptional job in covering all areas requested in an entertaining fashion, excellent use of grammar, spelling. Engaging and fun to read!

CHARACTER SKETCHES [20%]: 10 preliminary sketches/written notes/research images and final drawing in colour

(5 points)
Did not research as requested; did not include number of or directions requested in development sketches

(8 points)
Did some research and character development work but not enough to provide a competent character design

(10 points)
Did marginal research and character development; minimun in final character presentation

(15 points) (My mark for my drawings)
Covered what was asked for in research and character sketches; competent character design

(18 points)
Supplied material in very good form: original character design, good visual result and good depth of research

(20 points)
All material supplied in top-notch form: original character design, good visual result for final character and excellent depth of research

So, there is a certain mark level that I get because I show competency in what I am doing. It isn't so much how do I compare to what others are doing, but how much work I put in, how much I cover what is required, how much I go over what is required, and how well I do it.

Here's the comments from my teacher on my assignment -

Comments:
Good balance of information and commentary in your essay. The visuals help tell your story too. You have included visual research and developmental sketches, as requested, to help lead up to your refined character, HyperActive kid.

I.E. - I got a 75 on my drawing requirement - because my drawings were okay, and I covered what was required for it, and then a 87 on the essay because it was way above what was required.

The way it goes for us is

Needs much improvement(do the work - F-) Marginally under expectations(okay, you did some work, but put in more next time - F) Minimally met Expectations(congrats, you pass the assignment, but you know you could do better, D) Met Expectations(Keep on getting these marks for all assignments in all classes and you pass this year C, and that's the 75 per cent for the drawing I made) Met Expectations very well (You put in more effort to do the assignment than others - B, the essay I wrote) Outstanding job (I can't expect better, A)

So, I might be marked a little differently than you, because a 75 is what they considered consider a C, but in marks and everything - I can be on the Dean's list with an 80. Trust me on this, out of the 60+ people who started this year - only 3-4 will have 80+ in their courses - so that would be top 5 per cent, and over half have dropped out.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Kurall_Creator

[SaintOlaf]

Just curious, what school do you attend?

[Kurall_Creator]

[quote name='SaintOlaf' post='1855549' date='May 2 2009, 01:27 PM']Just curious, what school do you attend?[/quote]

Loyalist College.

[SaintOlaf]

do most schools in Canada follow that same grading system? Or is it just yours?

I'm really curious about it, since I've never seen anything like it, and I think I like it.

[Kurall_Creator]

[quote name='SaintOlaf' post='1855579' date='May 2 2009, 01:53 PM']do most schools in Canada follow that same grading system? Or is it just yours?

I'm really curious about it, since I've never seen anything like it, and I think I like it.[/quote]

I haven't been to other schools, but Loyalist College is an accredited college in Ontario, so I would theorize yes.

The reason, accredited schools get government funding for each student in the class. So the marks will be a little more just. In Slappo's class, only students with a 76 per cent average could go onto the next year - which would probably eliminate 70+ per cent of the class every single year. . .

Art colleges like Sheridan, and other high end schools - there is a much higher expectation than Loyalist - and out of thousands who apply, only a 100 get in every year, and only 10 graduate every year. . .

In my college, if you have a C - 60 per cent - you considered meeting expectatiions of the professors as to how well you are doing, and all courses have at least a 50, you get to go to the next year. That usually results in about half the student's failing per year.

Therefore, if more students go onto the next year, the more funding the course will have, and therefore the better program that can be delievered.

I think it is a much better way of delivering a post-secondary education, as it keeps tuition down, and it also helps people succeed better. Think of Pavlov - A student will far more likely put in effort when they only need a 60 to pass than if they need a 76 to pass. The one goal seems far more attainable than the other, doesn't it? So they are more like to put in the work to do well, than students who need a 76 to pass.

Thinking on those lines, if some is more willing to put in effort, they are going to learn more, because they are putting in the effort. How many more people wouldn't put in effort if 76 per cent was need to go to the next year?

Not to say that I didn't have collegues who were complaining all the time, and half dropped out (to be expected), but if you only need a 60 to pass, you'll put in the effort because you have hope to meet expectations.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Kurall_Creator