In this session Rob will walk through his pilot attempt to implement
specifications grading in a lower division quantitative course (WFC 70:
Data Literacy for Wildlife Biologists). Specifications grading is an
alternative approach to grading that forgoes the typical adding up of
points, with final course letter grades instead based on student
completion of a set of objectives/assignments at particular levels of
competency. Rob’s version included unlimited final project resubmissions
and ways for students to re-demonstrate competency when they earned
unsatisfactory homework scores. The goal of this grading scheme was to
promote student motivation, provide avenues for continued learning, and
reduce overall student grade stress. Anecdotal student feedback suggests
that these schemes are motivating and help students focus on learning
rather than grades. During this session we will learn steps (and
missteps) for using the Canvas LMS to implement alternative grading
schemes such as specifications grading, discuss the logic behind and
benefits of alternative grading, and have time for participants to
reflect on their grading and share stories or concerns about
implementing alternative grading.
