I am looking for empirical studies that examine the use of non-traditional grading in higher education. This means NOT using A-F grades during a course (even if, at the conclusion of the course, the university requires the instructor to assign a grade using the traditional A-F scale). This could include any of the following: narrative grading (grading with the use of written narratives), portfolio assessment, self-assessment, student-teacher collaborative assessment, formative assessment, etc.
Brian, this is an interesting and relatively novel topic area. I think you may find the following recent study useful for your purpose(s):
Thomas, J., & Hornsey, P. E. (2014). Adding rigor to classroom assessment techniques for non-traditional adult programs: A lifecycle improvement approach. Journal of Instructional Research, 3.
All the best.
University teaching is completely different from general education, whether in teaching or evaluation strategies. University teaching focuses more on the student and his various activities.
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/eliminating-grading-system-college-pros-cons/
Applying a variety of assessment methods for students enriches the learning process and leads to quality learning outcomes. Traditional and non- traditional models are crucial and complement each other.
In my opinion, the post-secondary education where instructors do not use traditional grades suggests placement in a specialized educational track that may certainly be appropriate for some students. However, I would be concerned that most students, while they might benefit on a short-term basis, would probably be restricting their options in future educationally related endeavors. For instance, students who would like to transfer midway to another campus with a course transcript showing no grades may have to provide supplementary documentation so as to enable the admissions office at their prospective educational institution to determine transfer credits and placement in the proper level of course work if they want to carry forward their studies in tiered subjects, e.g., beginning or introductory to intermediate and advanced level courses. For high achievers, membership in honor societies, e.g., Phi Beta Kappa, in America, is impossible without a traditional grade transcript. Nevertheless, for non-traditional students who enroll in post-secondary education, including junior college, community college, vocational institutes, private or religious college, and similar institutions of higher education, the philosophical justification for courses without letter grades and without numerical, including percentage, grades is, of course, responsive to a need for provision of optimal learning opportunities of the sort which may not be available or accessible for some students.
Interesting question: I think that the pandemic is a warning against the traditional methods of teaching.....Many universities are adopting the online and offline phases of education, based on dialogue and research.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Higher Education
- Universities