Grades do reflect learning for some of us! Students must explain and illustrate and elaborate answers on exams or other assignments. They must do a review, carry out stat tests, interpret stats, etc. Not in all classes tho. Given grade inflation and the busy extra credit or group activities that students can earn credit for--it's not surprising that such grades are not or should not, be the only consideration. I have students in my lab who say they got good grades in research methods and stats, but they cannot do the stats and do not understand the stats. They did a group project in their methods class and do not know how to put together an apa formatted lab paper by themselves. I suspect knowing the material and merely having to regurgitate what they are told on mickey mouse types exams is a little different. I would suggest having dept. assess actual competencies that are expected and hope they do correlate with grades. Gary
Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Psychology Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI 48710 989-964-4491 [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Weisskirch" <[email protected]> To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 12:57:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [tips] Assessment of learning, not grades? TIPSfolk, Our university has jumped on the assessment bandwagon and those who have drunk the kool-aid talk about "assessment of student learning" and looking at student evidence. I continue to ask why looking at grade distribution is not an indicator of learning. The response is that grades are not an accurate reflection of learning Assuming that there are no points for participation or attendance, shouldn't final grades be an indicator of how much students are learning? If we engage in good practices like using rubrics and norming grading of assignments, shouldn't grades be a reflection of learning? Thanks for any insight, Rob Rob Weisskirch, MSW. Ph.D. Professor 90.77% Furlough 9.23% Associate Professor of Human Development Certified Family Life Educator Liberal Studies Department California State University, Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center, Building 82C Seaside, CA 93955 (831) 582-5079 [email protected] This message is intended only for the addressee and may contain confidential, privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy or disclose any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message. --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
