By Madeleine Taylor (University of Maryland, USA). So, I really haven’t been keeping up with this blog very well lately and I am about to explain part of the reason why. The academics here in America could not be more different than back in England. I’ll lay out the differences simply: Method of assessment: Here in Maryland I have at least 4 methods of assessment for each of my classes, with participation (attendance, talking in class and sometimes bi-weekly response papers) usually counts for around 20% of your final grade. For me, a massively keen student, participation grades have been great – but if you’re not used to showing up…