Computerized Online Grading Critique

In an attempt to revise, edit or better understand school requirements some people have turned to computerized online grading services and unfortunately many have come away disappointed. The main problem with services that offer computerized online revision, grading and tutoring seems to be that there is no relationship between the tutor (a computer) and the student, and no opportunity for interactive engagement. In this scenario a student may submit a written essay for review. They give the project specs and pay their money. A while later they will receive their paper back with comments and revision, so far so good.

The problems occur when the student either doesn’t understand the commentary or when the circumstances of the course instruction are not so cut and dry as to be able to unequivocally state that a thing must be this or that. Also, if a computer has marked the work without human aid – well, we all know how effective spell check is without a person involved.

This is when the opportunity for dialogue is imperative but some editing/grading providers offer a persona (sometimes just a number) that has long moved on after your project is done and any attempt to re-engage with that particular person or machine is impossible. Kind of like trying to reach a really frustrating service that shoots back auto responders – my biggest beef of 2010! Even when there are humans behind the revision there are still many opportunities for disappointment.

When hiring online, price is often a powerful motivator but the reality is that using the Doctoral graduate who is charging $5 an hour to write your English paper is a bad idea. Chances are they are very intelligent people for whom English is a second language. Unfortunately English is a huge grading component of most essays, theses, and term papers.

Online writing and editing services are a great development but like everything there is good and bad. Don’t even consider giving your business to anyone who doesn’t hire first language English, degree graduates with whom you can engage throughout the project.  If there are no humans involved in the process at all, don’t think twice, head for the hills.