This chapter explores the concept of using learning activities as assessments, discussing the benefits and challenges of approaches like not dropping the lowest grade. Emphasizing the importance of aligning assessments with learning objectives, it encourages instructors to prioritize student ownership and meaningful learning experiences beyond grades.
Jay Parkes and Dawn Zimmaro discuss their book The College Classroom Assessment Compendium: A Practical Guide to the College Instructor’s Daily Assessment Life on episode 205 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
We see the need both for that just-in-time answer but also for faculty to do more thinking systematically about why they do what they do.
—Jay Parkes
Stop and say, “Why does this bother me?” and usually the answer to that is … something a little deeper than that particular student.
—Jay Parkes
How does extra credit really support their mastery of learning objectives?
—Dawn Zimmaro
If we’re really focused on the academic welfare of the student then our assessment activity should primarily be focused on promoting learning.
—Dawn Zimmaro