Fostering Agency in
Learning

Ideas

IDEA #9: Incorporating Flexible Assessment

"Facilitating this fundamental reset of our relationships with students as partners in their learning can, should, and will challenge some of our most basic assumptions about traditional teaching and learning."
—Schaaf et al.

Learning Intentions

Alternative grading methods aim to change students' and instructors' relationships with grading by setting clear expectations, linking grading to evidence of learning and completion of learning outcomes, and providing opportunities for students to choose and affect their grades.

Alternative Grading Models

  • Contract grading — agreement that details the amount of work that determines the final course grade
  • Bundled grading — final course grade based on a combination of completed assignments
  • Specifications grading — detailed descriptions of what constitutes "acceptable" or specific grade-level work graded as complete/incomplete
  • Ungrading — deemphasizes grades, refocuses on learning, feedback and the learning process

Success Strategies

  • Communicate clearly at every step and in every assignment throughout the course.
  • Discuss or annotate example assignments with the students.
  • Create clear success criteria and organized rubrics, possibly together.
  • Ensure there is a method for students to check their own progress and earned grade.
  • Allow draft submissions, revisions, and reflections for major assignments.

Student Choice in Grading

  • Give students choices for how to demonstrate learning (essay, video, presentation, etc.).
  • Provide more assignments than a student must complete to create choice and agency.
  • Use a token system where students can earn tokens for early or optional assignments, redeemable for late or revised assignment submissions.

Resources