Welcome to a deep dive into the world of ungrading, an innovative approach to assessment that is gaining traction in classrooms. In this session from MoteCon 2022, Rachel Johnson, a seasoned educator and Mote ambassador, shares her insights on how educators can start ungrading to foster better student engagement and learning.
Discover the transformative power of ungrading and why it's a crucial step for modern educators aiming to enhance student learning experiences.
• Ungrading can increase student interest in learning by focusing on feedback rather than grades.
• Students often choose easier tasks to secure grades, which ungrading can counteract by promoting intellectual risk-taking.
• The quality of student thinking is enhanced as ungrading encourages deeper engagement with the material.
• Ungrading involves more frequent assessments and feedback cycles, not the absence of evaluation.
• Educators must maintain high expectations and accountability even in an ungraded classroom setting.
Before embracing ungrading, it's essential to understand the impact traditional grades have on students. According to an article by Alfie Kohn titled "The Case Against Grades," there are three main negative impacts:
1. Grades tend to diminish student interest in learning, reducing intrinsic motivation.
2. Students prefer the easiest possible tasks to secure good grades, thereby avoiding risks.
3. The quality of student thinking is compromised as they focus on grades rather than learning.
Ungrading shifts the focus from grades to cycles of feedback and reflection. It views learning as a collaborative effort between teachers and students, emphasizing feedback and growth over mere letter grades or points.
Ungrading does not eliminate assessments or accountability. In fact, it can involve more assessment than traditional grading. Students are held to high expectations, and consequences for poor achievement are still in place.
1. Foster Open Communication: Start by discussing the purpose and benefits of ungrading with your students. Make sure they understand that feedback is more valuable than grades.
2. Increase Feedback Frequency: Provide regular, detailed feedback to guide student learning and improvement.
3. Encourage Reflection: Create opportunities for students to reflect on their learning journey, understanding their strengths and areas for growth.
4. Set Clear Expectations: Maintain high standards and clear expectations for student work, reinforcing the importance of effort and engagement.
5. Use Mote for Feedback: Leverage tools like Mote to give voice feedback, creating a more personal and engaging assessment experience.
Rachel Johnson is a department head of science with the Halton District School Board in Ontario, Canada. A Google Certified Trainer and Mote ambassador, she co-hosts the "Edge of Gals" podcast, exploring educational innovations.
```In this session, Rachel shares why ungrading is so important and 5 easy ways to get started with ungrading in your classroom.
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