scholarly journals The Effect of Specifications Grading on Students’ Learning and Attitudes in an Undergraduate-Level Cell Biology Course

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoshana D. Katzman ◽  
Jennifer Hurst-Kennedy ◽  
Alessandra Barrera ◽  
Jennell Talley ◽  
Elisabeth Javazon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Individual Learning ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Traditional Grading ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Grading Systems

Specifications (specs) grading is a grading system in which mastery of specific educational outcomes is the basis for the final grade a student earns in the course. Implementation of the types of assessments used for specs grading has shown to be beneficial for student learning and motivation compared to traditional grading systems. We designed a specs grading strategy in an undergraduate Cell Biology course, creating 20 individual learning outcomes (LOs).

Developing and Implementing a Specifications Grading System in an Organic Chemistry Laboratory Course

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Howitz ◽  
Kate J. McKnelly ◽  
Renee Link
Keyword(s):  
Organic Chemistry ◽  
Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Traditional Grading ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Laboratory Courses ◽  
Lower Division ◽  
Collaborative Learning Environment ◽  
Organic Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Grade Uncertainty

<p>Large, multi-section laboratory courses are particularly challenging when managing grading with as many as 35 teaching assistants (TAs). Traditional grading systems using point-based rubrics lead to significant variations in how individual TAs grade, which necessitates the use of curving across laboratory sections. Final grade uncertainty perpetuates student anxieties and disincentivizes a collaborative learning environment, so we adopted an alternative grading system, called specifications grading. In this system each student knows exactly what level of proficiency they must demonstrate to earn their desired course grade. Higher grades require demonstrating mastery of skills and content at defined higher levels. Each students’ grade is solely dependent on the work they produce rather than the performance of other students. We piloted specifications grading in the smaller, third quarter course of the lower division organic chemistry laboratory series held during a summer term. Open-ended questions were chosen to gather student and TA perceptions of the new grading system. TAs felt that the new grading system reduced the weekly grading time because it was less ambiguous. Responses from students about the nature of the grading system were mixed. Their perceptions indicate that initial buy-in and multiple reminders about the bigger picture of the grading system will be essential to the success of this grading system on a larger scale.</p>

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF TEAM ASSISTED INDIVIDUALIZATION (TAI) ON GEOGRAPHY LEARNING MODEL TEAM OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Bejo Apriyanto ◽  
Fahrudi Ahwan Ikhsan ◽  
Elan Artono Nurdin ◽  
Fahmi Arif Kurnianto
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Individual Learning ◽  
Control Group

Selection of the right learning model will increase the chances of achieving student learning success. The choice of learning model should pay attention to students' ability which is generally not the same among students one to another. The main factors are the various intelligence and student backgrounds. In addition, the absorptive capacity of the subject matter between students with one student is not the same so that affect learning outcomes achieved. Therefore, teachers need alternative learning model to overcome the diversity of student characteristics, one of them is with individual learning. However, the large number of students in the classroom and the various shortcomings in individual learning such as the effectiveness of learning, time, effort, and curriculum demands, as well as other obstacles, then individual learning is very unlikely to be implemented. An alternative that teachers can do is through the use of learning models that lead to programmed individual learning. The model of learning in accordance with the problem is Model Team Assisted Individualization (TAI). The TAI model is designed as a learning model that combines individual learning with cooperative learning. With the TAI model, the weaknesses that exist in individual learning and on cooperative learning can be minimized with the advantages that exist in both. This study aims to determine the effect of the use of TAI Model on the results of IPS geography learning. This research includes quasi experiment type, using Pretest-posttest Control Group Design design. The subjects consisted of one experimental class and one control class, grade VII student SMPN 4 Lumajang. The research instrument is a test consisting of prates and pascates. The data analysis technique uses t-test with SPSS 16.00 for Windows. The result of data analysis shows that the learning result of IPS geography of students using TAI model is better than students who do not use TAI Model. Thus it can be argued that the use of TAI model influences the learning outcomes Geography IPS Geography students proposed for teachers in the field of study Geography is to make the Model TAI as an alternative model of learning to improve student learning outcomes. Suggestions for further research are piloting the TAI Model on different materials and levels of higher classes or schools, as well as combining with more varied learning media so as to show a great influence on student learning outcomes and gain greater benefits from the TAI Model. Key Words: Model Team Assisted Individualization (TAI), Geography Learning Result

scholarly journals Impact of grading system on student academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-93
Author(s):  
Alexander K. Pogrebnikov ◽  
◽  
Vyacheslav N. Shestakov ◽  
Yuri Yu. Yakunin ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Student Academic Performance ◽  
Grading Systems

The grading systems used for assessment students' knowledge in traditional and distance learning differ and give different assessments of learning outcomes, which affects the indicators of student academic performance. The trends of modern education are aimed at the increasing involvement of distance forms in the educational process of universities, which requires a certain synchronization of grading systems at the level of learning outcomes. The research is aimed at identification and confirmation of the existence of differences between the results of assessment in traditional and distance learning forms, which are reflected in the indicators of student performance. The study used methods of nonparametric analysis using the STATISTICA 10.0 program. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare independent populations in cases where there were no signs of normal data distribution, and Pearson's Chi-square test was used to compare nominal values. To compare related (paired) quantitative samples, the Wilcoxon test was used. The research results showed a statistically significant increase in student academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic during distance learning. Therefore, when comparing the indicators of student performance in the spring semesters of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic years, significant differences were found in the U-criterion and Chi-square with different levels (p <0.05, p <0.01, p <0.001) depending on the course of study and the performance indicator. The only exceptions are the senior students of Master's programmes who have shown a decline in academic performance. According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that the distance grading system makes lower requirements for learning outcomes in terms of student academic performance indicators, which overestimates them relative to the traditional form of education.

Incorporating Research into Undergraduate Design Courses: A Patent-Centered Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Schaefer ◽  
Jitesh H. Panchal
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Educational Framework

It is well known and widely accepted that the integration of research and teaching in a problem-based educational setting helps to foster deep learning among students. In this paper, we describe how a patent on a rotary diesel engine, which had failed to work in practice, was used to link undergraduate research and teaching activities by orchestrating two design courses around this patent. Learning outcomes, course goals, content as well as assignments and projects were defined based on constructive alignment. Students' performance was assessed using so-called assessment rubrics, based on Bloom's taxonomy, which were specifically developed for both courses. After introducing the educational framework for this approach to enhancing student learning, we explain how both courses were designed and delivered in order to meet the higher-level educational outcomes envisaged. The paper closes with an overview of both our experiences and those of our students.

scholarly journals Skills-Based Grading: A novel approach to teaching formal semantics

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 869
Author(s):  
Maura O'Leary ◽  
Richard Stockwell
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Formal Semantics ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Traditional Grading ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Approach To Teaching ◽  
Algorithmic Approaches ◽  
Equitable Outcomes

This paper reports an implementation of ‘Skills-Based Grading’ (SBG) in a formal semantics course. In traditional grading, every part of every assignment contributes to the final grade. Students are required to progress along a uniform timeline, with partial credit as a safety net. In SBG, by contrast, the course is composed of skills. Students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery in each skill, but full proficiency is required to gain credit. Zuraw et al. (2019) pioneered the use of SBG in linguistics for phonetics and phonology. SBG is known to work well for skills that require algorithmic approaches to arrive at inarguably correct answers. In applying SBG to semantics, we show that it is just as effective for more abstract and philosophical skills. Based on survey and grade data, we substantiate claims that SBG improves student learning, encourages more effective study, lowers student stress, and achieves more equitable outcomes. Since this paper reports our first use of SBG, we conclude with some reflections on improvements for the future.

scholarly journals PENGELOLAAN PENILAIAN HASIL BELAJAR MATA PELAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS MTs PADA ASPEK PENGETAHUAN

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Nurhayati
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Writing Teachers ◽  
Knowledge Test ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
High Level ◽  
English Subject

The purpose of writing this article  to describe how to process the results of the assessment of the aspects of knowledge made by MTs English teachers, both in assessing the learning process and student learning outcomes. Assessments made by teachers in determining the student's final grade, consisting of the Daily Test Score , the Mid-Term Test Score  and the End-Year Test Score . This assessment is carried out to measure students' abilities in the form of factual, conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive knowledge, as well as low to high level thinking skills. The competency measured in this activity is related to the achievement of Basic Competence (KD) on KI-3 conducted by MTs English subject teachers. The assessment technique used is in accordance with the characteristics of each. These include written tests, oral tests, and assignments. The method used in writing this article is descriptive analytic, to describe the ability of English MTs teachers, in making decisions using information obtained through measurement of student learning outcomes. As for the results of this writing, teachers are expected to be able to process the results of the assessment of knowledge used for the benefit of learning. For this reason, teachers must be able to process the results of the assessment of knowledge for various purposes, including to determine the success of learning, to do remedial or for enrichment. Keywords: Evaluation, Knowledge, test.

scholarly journals Developing and Implementing a Specifications Grading System in an Organic Chemistry Laboratory Course

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Howitz ◽  
Kate J. McKnelly ◽  
Renee Link
Keyword(s):  
Organic Chemistry ◽  
Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Traditional Grading ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Laboratory Courses ◽  
Lower Division ◽  
Collaborative Learning Environment ◽  
Organic Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Grade Uncertainty

<p>Large, multi-section laboratory courses are particularly challenging when managing grading with as many as 35 teaching assistants (TAs). Traditional grading systems using point-based rubrics lead to significant variations in how individual TAs grade, which necessitates the use of curving across laboratory sections. Final grade uncertainty perpetuates student anxieties and disincentivizes a collaborative learning environment, so we adopted an alternative grading system, called specifications grading. In this system each student knows exactly what level of proficiency they must demonstrate to earn their desired course grade. Higher grades require demonstrating mastery of skills and content at defined higher levels. Each students’ grade is solely dependent on the work they produce rather than the performance of other students. We piloted specifications grading in the smaller, third quarter course of the lower division organic chemistry laboratory series held during a summer term. Open-ended questions were chosen to gather student and TA perceptions of the new grading system. TAs felt that the new grading system reduced the weekly grading time because it was less ambiguous. Responses from students about the nature of the grading system were mixed. Their perceptions indicate that initial buy-in and multiple reminders about the bigger picture of the grading system will be essential to the success of this grading system on a larger scale.</p>

The Effects of Framing Grades on Student Learning and Preferences

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole J. Bies-Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Psychology ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Framing Effect ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Grading Systems ◽  
Course Syllabi ◽  
System Experiment ◽  
Psychology Courses ◽  
Psychology Course

Two experiments examined whether framing effects, in terms of losses and gains, can be extended to student learning and grading preferences. In Experiment 1, participants rated psychology course syllabi to investigate preferences for differently framed grading systems: a loss versus gain grading system. The results showed a clear framing effect with more negative impressions of the loss grading system. Experiment 2 demonstrated that framing a grading system in terms of losses negatively influenced learning in actual psychology courses, as this group earned lower grades. This study has potential implications for decision-making theories in cognitive psychology as well as for teaching psychological courses.

Linking Research and Teaching: Two Design Courses Orchestrated Around a Rotary Diesel Engine Patent

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Schaefer ◽  
Jitesh H. Panchal
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Constructive Alignment ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Educational Framework

It is well known and widely accepted that the integration of research and teaching in a problem-based setting helps to foster deep learning among students. In this paper, we describe how a patent of a rotary diesel engine, that had failed to work in practice, was used to link undergraduate research and teaching activities by orchestrating two design courses around this patent. Learning outcomes, course goals, content as well as assignments and projects were defined based on constructive alignment. Students’ performance was assessed using so-called assessment rubrics based on Bloom’s taxonomy, which were specifically developed for both courses. After introducing the educational framework for this approach to enhancing student learning, we explain how both courses were designed and delivered in order to meet the higher level educational outcomes envisaged. The paper closes with an overview of both our experiences and those of our students.

scholarly journals Developing and Implementing a Specifications Grading System in an Organic Chemistry Laboratory Course

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Howitz ◽  
Kate J. McKnelly ◽  
Renee Link
Keyword(s):  
Organic Chemistry ◽  
Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Traditional Grading ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Laboratory Courses ◽  
Lower Division ◽  
Collaborative Learning Environment ◽  
Organic Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Grade Uncertainty

<p>Large, multi-section laboratory courses are particularly challenging when managing grading with as many as 35 teaching assistants (TAs). Traditional grading systems using point-based rubrics lead to significant variations in how individual TAs grade, which necessitates the use of curving across laboratory sections. Final grade uncertainty perpetuates student anxieties and disincentivizes a collaborative learning environment, so we adopted an alternative grading system, called specifications grading. In this system each student knows exactly what level of proficiency they must demonstrate to earn their desired course grade. Higher grades require demonstrating mastery of skills and content at defined higher levels. Each students’ grade is solely dependent on the work they produce rather than the performance of other students. We piloted specifications grading in the smaller, third quarter course of the lower division organic chemistry laboratory series held during a summer term. Open-ended questions were chosen to gather student and TA perceptions of the new grading system. TAs felt that the new grading system reduced the weekly grading time because it was less ambiguous. Responses from students about the nature of the grading system were mixed. Their perceptions indicate that initial buy-in and multiple reminders about the bigger picture of the grading system will be essential to the success of this grading system on a larger scale.</p>

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