GRADING HOMEWORK WITH DATA

RYAN PIETROPAOLO

TCM 2023

GOALS FOR THIS TALK

• Gather Ideas.
• Think Critically.
• Create Motivation.

WHAT DO WE GRADE?

• 1. Take a few minutes and make a list of categories of the things you grade.
• 2. Rank the level of importance of each category you have listed from most important to least important. Not necessarily what is worth the largest percentage.
• 3. Put your list on the following padlet: https://padlet.com/pietropaolo1/what-do-we-grade-rh9gjlmeapnr0cpn

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IS DAILY HOMEWORK IMPORTANT? WHY??

• Reinforce concepts/skills from class.
• Daily repetition improves memory and thinking.
• Spend more time developing higher level math skills in class.
• Gain confidence.
• Less time spent cramming for tests.
• Develops independent learners.
• Allows the instructor to monitor student progress.

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FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF “DAILY” HOMEWORK

• How often do you assign Daily Homework and how much time do you expect students to spend on it?
• Category 1: 4-5 times per week; approx. 20-30 minutes per assignment
• Category 2: 2-3 times per week; approx. 45 minutes per assignment
• Category 3: Once per week; 60+ minutes per assignment

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• Make a case for why your approach is optimal.

HOW DO WE GRADE DAILY HOMEWORK?

• In 5 of fewer words, describe the process in which you assign grades to Daily Homework.
• If you don’t grade it, why not? (again 5 or fewer words!)
• Padlet: https://padlet.com/pietropaolo1/how-do-you-grade-daily-homework-jj0tzmbwdrc81m8h
• What is working and what isn’t?

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PROBLEMS WITH TRADITIONAL TEACHER LED APPROACH

• Teacher can forget what they assigned.
• Hard to predict how long “question time” will take.
• Grading is after the fact, may seem inconsequential.
• Students have little opportunity to see what they did wrong.
• Students have to admit they made mistakes in front of their peers.

TRADITIONAL APPROACH �BIG TAKEAWAYS

• Places the focus on the product, not the process
• Does not require students to think/reflect on their learning
• Traditional grades, happen to students
• Difficult to give meaningful feedback

A DIFFERENT APPROACH…

• Is it possible to accomplish the goals for why we assign Daily Homework and put less emphasis on the grading portion of it?
• Can we use Data to change the way we think about Daily Homework?
• Student Led Approach
• “Balanced with Blended Learning: Partner with your students to reimagine learning and reclaim your life”; Caitlin Tucker, Corwin Press, February 2020

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THE PROCESS…

• 1. Post complete solutions to the assigned problems.
• 2. Gather feedback about the student experience with a 2-3 minute survey.
• 3. Review feedback to tailor the start of the next class.
• 4. Award credit for completing the survey.

EASY TO READ DATA!!

BENEFITS

• Next to no time spent grading!
• Focus is off of grades.
• Allows students to take control of their own learning, develop reflection skills.
• Students get instant confirmation that their work is right or wrong.
• Students have an opportunity to ask questions directly after their experience, instead of the next day.
• Can assign material not yet covered in class. “stretch problems”

BENEFITS (CONT)

• Follow-up discussions the next day are more targeted.
• Plan the next day’s lesson with student questions in mind.
• Students don’t have to acknowledge their “shortcomings” in front of their peers.
• Easier to spot struggling students prior to an assessment.
• Greater emphasis on learning, rather than grading.
• Utilizes technology that already exists.

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DRAWBACKS??

• Students can rely too heavily on the posted solutions, limiting time spent struggling.
• Does not consider multiple approaches.
• Mistakes on posted solutions can be devastating to the process.

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“ALEKS”�SIMILAR APPROACH?

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS??