LOTS108 - What Will Be The Legacy Of The Pandemic On Grading?

Has your grading philosophy changed during a pandemic?

Our Panel this week is Aaron Mathieu from Massachusetts, Joining us from Arizona is Tanea Hibler, Joining us from Missouri is Ryan Lacson, and joining us from Texas is Lee Ferguson.

Opening Question: What is your favorite type of pie? Is it different for different holidays?

How have you adjusted your grading this year?

Aaron: This year my grading philosophy is driven by the Churchill quote “Never let a good crisis go to waste” Revisions on almost everything. No late points taken off.

Lee: we did away with weighted categories this year and the world has not ended! Kids are actually much more relaxed and feel less stressed since every assignment goes into the same grade bucket rather than having some assignments being weighted at higher percentages than others. Prior to the pandemic we allowed resubmissions with revisions on assignments anyway so that’s not a new thing for us. I’ve been modeling a lot of my grading practice now after Paul Strode, whose point-less approach is one that I feel provides students opportunities for more reflection and growth than traditional grading practices do.

Ryan: As I’ve said before, I teach in a rural area that does not have good internet coverage, so I’ve had to be very flexible with students submitting assignments. Unfortunately, as a byproduct of multiple preps, simultaneous online/F2F learning, and the need to simply survive, I’ve had to pull back on some of my more standards-based grading. I hope to adopt a “gradeless, Paul Strode” approach to my dual-credit A&P class, but with the uncertainty of the school year, the stylistic differences between the university and the gradeless approach, and the levels of confusion already being through the roof, I decided to stick with the traditional grading system

Tanea: Yes, flexibility and grace is key right now

What will be the legacy of the pandemic be on your approach to grading?

Tanea: Evolve and do better. There are alternatives that can lead to amazing learning experiences.

Ryan: I’ve always been flexible with assignments because I want grades to be indicative of learning, not behavior, so I don’t think the pandemic has really affected my approach to grading in that regard. I do think that, unfortunately, my need to survive the pandemic has led me to be less innovative with my grading, as I discussed earlier.

Lee: definitely the provision of feedback and pre-grading evaluation opportunities for students.

Aaron: I hope it is the community and connection I have worked on will allow me to humanize my approach to grading. I know I will never know everything going on in my students' lives that lead to the choices they are making, but I hope I am typing to develop a system so that students are more willing to share.

We would love feedback! DM or Tweet @lifeoftheschool and share your thoughts about grading? How are you adjusting?

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