Authors Jay Parkes and Dawn Zimmaro discuss assessment strategies in higher ed, emphasizing the need for thoughtful reflection on teaching practices and student-centered approaches. They delve into reimagining assessment for student ownership and stress management, promoting meaningful learning experiences beyond grades.
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Quick takeaways
Assessment in higher education should prioritize academic welfare and promote learning over grading mechanisms.
Effective assessment strategies should align with learning objectives and foster reflective teaching practices.
Deep dives
Overview of College Classroom Assessment Compendium
The College Classroom Assessment Compendium discussed in the podcast provides a comprehensive look at various assessment strategies for higher education. Authors Jay Parks and Dawn Zamaro structured the book as a reference guide with short, encyclopedia-like entries to address common assessment challenges faced by instructors. These entries focus on evidence-based recommendations to handle situations like missed exams or grading policies, aiming to help educators develop a holistic assessment philosophy grounded in best practices and research.
Philosophical Foundations of Assessment
The podcast delves into the philosophical underpinnings of assessment, emphasizing the importance of alignment between assessment practices and educational values. Authors Jay Parks and Dawn Zamaro advocate for a thoughtful approach to assessment that values academic beneficence and fairness. They caution against over-reliance on grading mechanisms by encouraging instructors to consider how assessment strategies align with learning objectives, emphasizing the need to foster a culture of professional reasoning and deep reflection in assessment practices.
Challenging Traditional Grading Practices
One key insight from the podcast challenges traditional grading practices, particularly the common approach of dropping the lowest grade. Authors Jay Parks and Dawn Zamaro advocate for a shift towards assessment strategies that prioritize meaningful measurement of learning outcomes. They highlight the potential pitfalls of relying on grade-dropping mechanisms, underscoring the importance of aligning assessment with clear learning objectives to ensure that grades accurately reflect student mastery.
Promoting Reflective Teaching Practices
The podcast emphasizes the value of reflective teaching practices in assessment and instructional design. Authors Jay Parks and Dawn Zamaro encourage instructors to engage in deep reflection on assessment policies, striving for congruence between teaching philosophies and assessment strategies. By fostering a culture of reflection and critical inquiry, educators can enhance their ability to create assessments that authentically measure student learning and promote a deeper understanding of educational values.
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