Specifications Grading

Restoring Rigor, Motivating Students, and Saving Faculty Time

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Higher Education, Teaching, Teaching Methods
Cover of the book Specifications Grading by Linda Nilson, Stylus Publishing
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Author: Linda Nilson ISBN: 9781620362440
Publisher: Stylus Publishing Publication: March 1, 2015
Imprint: Stylus Publishing Language: English
Author: Linda Nilson
ISBN: 9781620362440
Publisher: Stylus Publishing
Publication: March 1, 2015
Imprint: Stylus Publishing
Language: English
Linda Nilson puts forward an innovative but practical and tested approach to grading--the specifications grading paradigm—which restructures assessments to streamline the grading process and greatly reduce grading time, empower students to choose the level of attainment they want to achieve, reduce antagonism between the evaluator and the evaluated, and increase student receptivity to meaningful feedback, thus facilitating the learning process – all while upholding rigor. In addition, specs grading increases students’ motivation to do well by making expectations clear, lowering their stress and giving them agency in determining their course goals.

Among the unique characteristics of the schema, all of which simplify faculty decision making, are the elimination of partial credit, the reliance on a one-level grading rubric and the “bundling” of assignments and tests around learning outcomes. Successfully completing more challenging bundles (or modules) earns a student a higher course grade. Specs grading works equally well in small and large class settings and encourages “authentic assessment.” Used consistently over time, it can restore credibility to grades by demonstrating and making transparent to all stakeholders the learning outcomes that students achieve.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Linda Nilson puts forward an innovative but practical and tested approach to grading--the specifications grading paradigm—which restructures assessments to streamline the grading process and greatly reduce grading time, empower students to choose the level of attainment they want to achieve, reduce antagonism between the evaluator and the evaluated, and increase student receptivity to meaningful feedback, thus facilitating the learning process – all while upholding rigor. In addition, specs grading increases students’ motivation to do well by making expectations clear, lowering their stress and giving them agency in determining their course goals.

Among the unique characteristics of the schema, all of which simplify faculty decision making, are the elimination of partial credit, the reliance on a one-level grading rubric and the “bundling” of assignments and tests around learning outcomes. Successfully completing more challenging bundles (or modules) earns a student a higher course grade. Specs grading works equally well in small and large class settings and encourages “authentic assessment.” Used consistently over time, it can restore credibility to grades by demonstrating and making transparent to all stakeholders the learning outcomes that students achieve.

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