Using Alternative Grading Practices to Foster Student Learning
Mar 28, 2024
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David Clark, an associate professor at Grand Valley State University, discusses using alternative grading practices to foster student learning. Topics include the importance of feedback loops, reassessment without penalty, intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, and the four pillars of grading for growth. The conversation also touches on personal connections with students, vulnerability in academic settings, and transitioning to alternative grading methods.
Continuous iteration on clearly defined standards is crucial when implementing alternative grading practices.
Providing forward-looking, actionable feedback to enhance learning is vital for student growth and engagement.
Deep dives
Alternative Grading Practices and Standards Iteration
When implementing alternative grading practices, David Clark emphasizes the importance of continuously iterating on clearly defined standards. He suggests that faculty should take notes and reflect on whether the standards are effective, if they make sense, or if adjustments are needed. By constantly reevaluating and refining these standards, educators can ensure that they accurately reflect what truly matters in their teaching.
The Significance of Helpful Feedback in Learning
Clark highlights the importance of providing helpful feedback to students, emphasizing that feedback should be forward-looking and aimed at enhancing learning rather than justifying grades. He discusses the challenge of transitioning from backward-looking feedback to guiding students on how to improve. By offering specific, actionable feedback that focuses on skills development and understanding, educators can facilitate student growth and engagement.
Reflection and Improvement in Learning
The discussion delves into the value of reflection in the learning process and how it can lead to improvement. Clark shares examples of how students' reflective insights can offer meaningful glimpses into their learning strategies and challenges. By encouraging students to reflect not only on what they changed but also on their thought processes, educators can gain deeper insights into student learning and provide tailored support for development.
Alternative Grading for Progress and Student Motivation
In exploring the concept that marks indicate progress, Clark underscores the importance of avoiding perfection as a standard and focusing on growth and understanding. He addresses common challenges in alternative grading methods, such as the impact of grades on student motivation and the need for clear communication on progress indicators. By setting meaningful assessment criteria and fostering a growth-oriented approach, educators can promote student learning and motivation in the classroom.
David Clark discusses using alternative grading practices to foster student learning on episode 511 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Does this represent what I really care about?
-David Clark
Most of us are used to giving feedback in some way, but making it helpful is the tough part.
-David Clark
A reassessment always needs some reflective parts, some metacognition, because that’s part of the feedback loop.
-David Clark
People aren’t going to remember everything that they’ve learned in our classes for all time.
-David Clark
As soon as there’s a grade assigned, students tend to lose the intrinsic motivation they might have to learn these things and focus entirely on that extrinsic grade aspect.
-David Clark