Chicana✊🏾, Dept. Chair of Ethnic Studies @ Glendale Community College, Online Learning Enthusiast & Rule-Breaking Rebel Academic Chola ¿Y qué? #ungrading C/S
Ethnic Studies Department
Joined May 2009
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fabiola torres retweeted
Why are humanized asynchronous online classes key to achieving equity? Why is it important to view professional development as “equity infrastructure”? Listen to this convo I had w Al Solano to find out. #HumanizeOL #OnlineClasses @ContinuousLrner continuous-learning-institut…
fabiola torres retweeted
When institutions make flexibility a core value, they push back on structures that sustain the status quo. And that’s why standing up for online classes is equity work. #FlexibleFuture #OnlineClasses
Most Black bachelor’s students say flexibility in their schedules is vital. Alternative class schedules can increase access and degree completion. More insights in our new report with @Gallup: gallup.com/analytics/468986/…
fabiola torres retweeted
I have found that #ungrading has freed me from being the Gotcha Teacher. I’m free to work with my students as humans learning. I’ve gone from the judge to the sherpa, no longer judging them, but guiding them through unfamiliar territory to reach their goal.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
A concern is that students might take advantage of the process and not do anything until the end. However, I try and create Grade Pitch assignments that are relevant and purposeful, focusing on the reflection and revision of previous assignments.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
The one place I cannot avoid points is the SIS. To prevent a final grade from becoming a cumulative mark, I modify previous values so that the most recent Grade Pitch holds (almost) all the weight. The number entered is the value of the grade pitched.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
If a student is ever deserving of failing, it’s a rare and extreme situation. There would have been plenty of early discussions and interventions. That said, I don’t even like to put that energy out there.
Sure, we’ll fail. Just not in the gradebook.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
Every six weeks, the students complete a “grade pitch” assignment for the grade that will be entered into the SIS. This usually involves a blend of contracted grading and self-assessment. It’s never perfect. I’m constantly tinkering with it.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
I start every student with an ‘A’ (in the SIS) to last the first six weeks. This has many benefits:
Time. We need to figure things out.
Climate. Optimism in the air, a “grade-free zone.”
Health. I don’t need students stressed or discouraged to learn.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
I submit grades at the contractual minimum: reporting grades every six weeks to the SIS. This may go against some “suggestions” and “recommendations,” but ultimately, because I believe grades are unreliable, unhealthy, and inequitable, there’s no FOMO.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
All assignments have a zero-point value, so a grade total would read N/A. However, this part is hidden (to prevent confusion). My LMS, Canvas, has an option in the settings to “hide totals” from gradebook view.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
My #ungrading aim is eliminating the use of points and cumulative percentages to reduce “grade game” calculations and to encourage assignment completion, reflection, and revision. Assignments in the LMS are set up to be scored as complete or incomplete.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
I only report grades to the SIS. Everything else goes through the LMS. Some teachers like to sync the LMS and SIS, but, unless the sync is PERFECT (it never is) the grades don’t match: bring on the unnecessarily panicked parent and student emails!
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
The technical aspect is critical here. Personally, I have two systems: a Learning Management System (Canvas) and a Student Information System (Aeries). Knowledge of their functions and similarities is crucial when it comes to the nuances of grade reporting.
#UngradingCon
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fabiola torres retweeted
Clearly, there are plenty of ‘whys’ for #ungrading. But, grades are the crux of the system, and communicating student “progress” with stakeholders is a standard part of the teacher’s job. Thus, issuing and submitting grades is an important task.
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fabiola torres retweeted
I’ll start this thread with an oldy, but a goodie. Dr. Tae’s TedTalk was an earlier inspiration to me. I couldn’t shake the way he talked about grading in relation to learning about skateboarding. It got me thinking.
#UngradingCon
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youtu.be/lHfo17ikSpY
fabiola torres retweeted
6: #Equity in feedback. Start w/level playing field, since “rich white Ss” might want to proofread > No, that’s not what we’re doing here. How many Ss know the different between proofreading & reader feedback? bit.ly/TAG-feedback-handout
#UngradingCon
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, wrinkles, and freckles. She is smacking a sign that says: You’re It!
fabiola torres retweeted
5: #Equity in #reflection. Do Ss know how to reflect?
Possible Solution: Care & training are important here. Use #UDL to get the process across to Ss. Have them reflect on something “easy”=When did you learn X & how did you know you learned it?
#UngradingCon
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, wrinkles, and freckles. She is in a steamy bathroom and the text on the mirror says: Why am I the way that I am?
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, wrinkles, and freckles. She is sitting crosslegged, meditating.
fabiola torres retweeted
4: #Gender #Equity in #SelfAssessment: White Ss who identify as men typically assess themselves higher.
Possible Solution: Review the self-assessments for validity & have conversations with Ss!? Conduct 1-on-1 conferences frequently!?
#UngradingCon
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, wrinkles, and freckles. Her facial expression is unhappy.
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, is wearing a black turtleneck and holding a YIKES yellow emoji in front of her face.
fabiola torres retweeted
3: #Equity in self-assessing: Do Ss know how to self-assess?
Possible Solution: Demo in class & record for viewing later, assess my own work in front of them, give examples of how they’ll assess their work in their workplaces… other ideas?
#UngradingCon
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, wrinkles, and freckles. She’s wearing a black turtleneck and the word cloud around her says “Hmmm…”
ALT Bitmoji of Sybil, who is a white woman with blonde hair, wrinkles, and freckles; she is wearing black shirt. She is smiling and holding a clipboard and pencil. The text below her says: Will Do.