Robert Talbert, Ph.D., Department of Mathematics, Grand Valley State University recently gave a talk (2021) on mastery grading. He explained that mastery grading aims to make grading a positive, useful, even enjoyable (?!) process by refocusing on grading for eventual mastery of well-defined learning targets rather than one-and-done assessments and points and focusing on instructive feedback rather than auditive point allocations. Campbell,… Read more »
Entries by akesha
Strategies for Preventing Student Resistance
The following tip comes from Faculty Focus and the Cell Biology Education—Life Sciences Education website). Strategies for Preventing Student Resistance. When teachers try something different in the classroom and students resist, the teacher may back down. Often, this is due to fear of what will happen to their student evaluations and contract renewals. There is little… Read more »
Feedback Essentials
As educators, we know the importance of feedback. Sometimes it can be challenging to figure out how to provide feedback that helps students understand what they did well and what needs to be improved, without demotivating the students. In Seven Keys to Effective Feedback, Wiggins (2012), states, whether feedback is just there to be grasped… Read more »
OCQs
Among faculty, online course questionnaires can be a source of pride and satisfaction—and frustration and anxiety. As Bayraktar (2020) notes: There is long standing evidence as well as many big-picture, philosophical reasons why course evaluations are problematic (evidence of gender bias and racial/ethnic bias, evidence that that students will give worse ratings to professors who benefit their learning in the long term and that students… Read more »
Why pronouns are important for you and your students
Stating our personal pronouns is a way for instructors to build inclusivity and trust in the classroom and facilitate conversations about gender and privilege with students and colleagues. Sharing pronouns is good practice for everyone, even if you feel that you have a visible gender identity. It normalizes the practice of not making assumptions about… Read more »
Teaching Goals Inventory (TGI)
The Teaching Goals Inventory (TGI) is a valuable resource to assist instructors who are developing new courses or revising the design of a pre-existing course. The TGI is a self-assessment of instructional goals. (SEE: Classroom assessment techniques : a handbook for college teachers – https://iucat.iu.edu/catalog/4211327). Its purpose is threefold: to help college teachers become more aware of what… Read more »
Wait Time
Faculty Focus https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/student-learning-in-3-seconds/ notes that when Mary Budd Rowe coined the phrase “wait time” to describe the period of time between a teacher’s question and a student’s response, teachers typically waited between .7 seconds and 1.5 seconds before speaking after they have asked a question to students. Kent States Center for Teaching and Learning explains – Rowe… Read more »
Social Annotation
If you teach a class that requires regular readings, you may find the use of social annotation helpful. What is Social Annotation? If you have ever shared checked out an old math book from the library, you may be familiar with social annotation. The proofs and theorems may have notes near them written by hand. The… Read more »
Using the Student Engagement Rosters (SER) to its fullest
As you may already know, the Student Engagement Roster (SER) is an early feedback tool that allows faculty members to communicate with students about how they are doing in a class and make recommendations to improve or deepen their learning. While the SER is often associated with grades (i.e is the student passing or failing… Read more »
Mid Semester Feedback
Why is mid-semester feedback important? Mid semester feedback can serve as valuable sources of feedback for faculty and self-reflection for students. Surveys at the mid point of the semester can help you plan effective classes, and: Make course correction before big assignments Understand where your students are learning-wise and to maybe identify some areas where… Read more »