Problem with a teacher at school...

So... I'm taking this one class called Theory of Knowledge. Our school has this forum posting site called "Moodle" that most of the teachers use for discussions and what not. My ToK teacher instructed that we all create a thread addressing the prompt "What is a strength and/or a weakness of any of the following five emotional skills--in relationship to any of the six Areas of Knowledge?"

Now, I did address the prompt. I finished a few minutes before class was over. So during the final few minutes that I had, I decide to go on other people's posts and comment saying things like "Real talk", "Yeah", "Insightful post", and what not. By the end of the day, I get home, hop on the computer, check my grades online and I notice that he gave me a 25% on the assignment. AN F! HE GAVE ME AN F DESPITE ADDRESSING THE PROMPT!!! He did send me an e-mail later concerning the grade, he failed me because of my "irrelevant" posts on other people's threads. MY GRADE DROPPED FROM A 92% TO A 76%. THREE FREAKING LETTER GRADES.

Is it right for him to penalize me like that? And, is it right for me to approach him about the matter and lobby for him to reconsider a grade change?

Instead of starting out lobbying for him to change your grade, wouldn't it be better to first find out WHY he gave you an F?

Yeah I'm pretty sure I addressed it. I actually discussed the importance of self-awareness in the arts.mr-sheep

Then why did he give you such a bad grade?

[QUOTE="mr-sheep"]Yeah I'm pretty sure I addressed it. I actually discussed the importance of self-awareness in the arts.MrGeezer

Then why did he give you such a bad grade?

Well then isn't that part of the problem? Was there any specific instruction that said you couldn't do that? If not, then you need to argue your case in a respectful manner at first. However, if there was a warning against that, then unfortunately your grade is deserved.

Well then isn't that part of the problem? Was there any specific instruction that said you couldn't do that? If not, then you need to argue your case in a respectful manner at first. However, if there was a warning against that, then unfortunately your grade is deserved.

CoolluckVGEP

[QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

[QUOTE="mr-sheep"]Yeah I'm pretty sure I addressed it. I actually discussed the importance of self-awareness in the arts.mr-sheep

Then why did he give you such a bad grade?

Ah, so you've already talked to him about your grade. In that case, what did he have to say about your objection to the grade?

[QUOTE="mr-sheep"][QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

Then why did he give you such a bad grade?

MrGeezer

Ah, so you've already talked to him about your grade. In that case, what did he have to say about your objection to the grade?

You should cite his lack of a proper guideline beforehand as a way to get the grade changed. His ex post facto mentality shouldn't really hold up. (I hope I'm using ex post facto correctly)

Are you sure there weren't some stipulations in the terms of service of the website that prohibit such comments? Are you REALLY sure that he didn't outline when he assigned the project that such behavior would result in an automatic failing grade?

Really...are you SURE about this?

If so, then I think you need to bring this up with someone higher than him. If your comments didn't violate school policy/etc, and were not warned against ahead of time, then it does seem pretty ****ed up that he could use those comments as an excuse to flunk your ass.

Just out of curiosity, are you in middle school? High school? College/university? Because your comments seem to be sort of "unprofessional". I certainly don't see that as grounds for an automatic F, though. Though that might also depend on your level of education.

Here I was thinking my teachers hated me.

I don't get why you would expect anything more. Maybe it's because I don't understand the American education system but wth were you expecting? Is this common practise that you can just do basic stuff and get an A? Surely your comments needed more depth and thought?

Also does this go to your GPA? If not what exactly does it affect? It seems like such a stupid thing that could count tosomething important if you can get an A by posting comments like "Yeah" etc...

If you're 100% sure both that your F was due to something other than the thread you made in fulfillment of the assignment's requirements, and that there were no instructions forbidding the act of posting to another thread, then I'd say you absolutely should pursue this. Provided that all stated requirements of an assignment are met, an instructor can't just arbitrarily decide to lower a grade based on additional criteria that were invented after all students complete their work.

wow that sucks. a 25% my parents would cut me in half if i got that.

Dude I'd say report him to the dean or something. To be honest he's made the mistake and didn't tell beforehand about the irrelevant posts. I mean he lacks the competence, I don't see the reason why you should pay for it

Are you sure there weren't some stipulations in the terms of service of the website that prohibit such comments? Are you REALLY sure that he didn't outline when he assigned the project that such behavior would result in an automatic failing grade?

Really...are you SURE about this?

If so, then I think you need to bring this up with someone higher than him. If your comments didn't violate school policy/etc, and were not warned against ahead of time, then it does seem pretty ****ed up that he could use those comments as an excuse to flunk your ass.

Just out of curiosity, are you in middle school? High school? College/university? Because your comments seem to be sort of "unprofessional". I certainly don't see that as grounds for an automatic F, though. Though that might also depend on your level of education.

MrGeezer