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This term I taught an ungraded class. I gave students extensive feedback on weekly assignments and at check-in points on their final projects. This was the most fulfilling decision in my career. Questionnaire here. 1/11 ImageImageImage
I am entirely taken with how students (like most of us academics) are conditioned to value others’ assessments of their work and effort rather than their own self-efficacy. Sample of responses to the final question of the survey are below. 2/11
“It was a little scary at first not to have a visual of where I stand but I quickly realized that not seeing grades took away the negative feeling that I am not doing well enough. It eased the tension and helped me focus on the class more than on the grade.” 3/11
“I enjoy this approach to class work but a challenge is that I do not have confidence in the grading of myself. This is not due to the structure of the course but the way our society has raised us that only others can choose how well we are doing. How wrong. Thank you” 4/11
“The feedback really helped me reflect on my own work but I still felt able to express myself more freely in the weekly reflections because there was less pressure about whether other people would think its good enough...” 5/11
“This scheme is a great way to encourage accountability for students who still haven’t figure it out yet and is actually practice for what the real world is going to be like. When we leave university and work no one is going to chase after us or watch over our every move.” 6/11
“The only challenge is I don’t know how to grade myself! I feel selfish, as if I am tooting my own horn, claiming any high grade regardless of how I feel. I chose my grade based on my effort as well as the feedback I got from you each week.” 7/11
“I am giving you what I think I should receive but there is no guarantee that after reviewing all my work you will agree and that makes me anxious.” [note: I gave this student a higher grade than they gave themselves — ironic] 8/11
“I think this was an amazing way to run a course. I found that since I was grading myself, I tried harder on the actual assignments so I can prove to myself why I deserve the grade I am giving myself. As well, I find that it takes a lot of pressure off of us students so thx” 9/11
“I am used to being graded on each assignment so I was a little nervous in the beginning but receiving feedback really helped. With the feedback I was able to work on the areas that needed extra attention without being worried about where I stand in the class.” 10/11
“At first I panicked because we were not being given an actual grade. I have spent almost 20 years waiting for someone to tell me how good I am. Now I realize that not being graded sets me up for a career because I need to have confidence in myself.” /end
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