Resource page
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And it's not your or your students' fault
Traditional grading is broken.
It might not be fixable.
But it is replaceable.
And now is the time.
Traditional grading is broken. It might not be fixable. But it is replaceable, and now is the time.
OUR AGENDA:
What is traditional grading?
How is it broken?
How might we replace it?
Questions
Traditional grading is...
An invention of administrators and faculty meetings
Designed to solve administrative problems
A product of early-20th century industrial ideas
Not inherently part of higher education
Not the result of research or mindful practice
How all significant learning works:
Traditional grading lacks construct validity
Course grade = average of three exam scores, 100 max. What is each student's final grade?| Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Total | |
| Alice | 0 | 80 | 100 | 180 |
| Bob | 60 | 60 | 60 | 180 |
Traditional grading lacks statistical meaning
Traditional numerical grades != numerical data
Traditional grading is demotivating
Traditional grading is broken. It might not be fixable.
But it is replaceable.
The Four Pillars of Alternative Grading
How does this work in _____?
Example: Discrete Structures for Computer Science 1, Winter 2024 at GVSU
https://bit.ly/mth225-w24
Clear Standards
Helpful Feedback
Marks That Indicate Progress
Reattempts without penalty
Skills: Retry unsuccessful attempts on a future Checkpoint
Challenge Problems: Revise with feedback and submit a revision (up to 3x per week)
Keep it simple
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash
You don't have to do it all
Pick one pillar and do one thing.
Traditional grading is broken.
It might not be fixable.
But it is replaceable.
And now is the time.
