2 – Getting Started Part 1: The Problems with Traditional Grading

Author: Sharona Krinsky and Robert Bosley
Published: Tue 25 Jul 2023
Episode Link: https://thegradingpod.com/podcast-test-page/2-the-problems-with-traditional-grading

Before we can explore how to change our grading to be more effective, more humane, more inclusive and to better support student learning, we need to begin by examining more closely what is wrong with what we currently do. In this episode, Sharona and Bosley take a deep dive into the problems with the traditional points-and-percentages grading system. During the episode we explore:

What do we mean by "traditional grading"?
What is the purpose of a grade in a class?
The lack of consistency and clarity in points-and-percentages grading
The misuse of mathematical averages
The inequitable nature of category weights
Does traditional points-and-percentages grading do what we think it does?

Resources

The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education and K-12.

Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:

Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Grading for Equity, by Joe Feldman

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