As I have been assessing the students’ final research paper, I’ve noticed that about 50% of the class has displayed the same learning gap. They have interviewed people about their topic as is the class requirement. However, they have failed to integrate the interview into the research paper; usually they state the questions asked and the responses given as a separate section of the paper. They do not use the interview responses to add more details to their existing evidence. Their original paper stops, the interviews are reported, and then the paper starts up again usually at the conclusion.
As I reflect on the class I did on interviewing, I spent time on developing interview questions (non-biased ones) and the procedure for an interview. I did not model how to integrate that information into their papers and I did not have them practice it.
I feel awkward in thinking of taking off any points for something that I did not teach and have them practice, especially when so many students displayed the same learning gap. I cannot blame them for my lack of teaching.
What do you do when you encounter a learning gap by at least 50% of your students on a test or an assignment?
Education with Technology Harry G. Tuttle 
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