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Address Doubts

about Ungrading

Resources, schedule, Zoom: thegradingconference.comSlack community: tinyurl.com/join-alt-grading

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Recording and posting

We are recording this session.

We plan to post recordings and slides so you can review them later.

We retain the right to rebroadcast and distribute the recording.

By participating, you are agreeing that your contributions become part of the recording. This includes video, audio, chat, and Q&A.

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The Grading Conference is funded this year by

National Science Foundation, DUE #2304776

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Today: Getting started with?

Now Parallel session

11A - Addressing doubts about Ungrading

11B - Maintaining balance while Alternative Grading

11C - Alternative Grading for writing in STEM

1:15 - 2:15 Lunch break (offline)

2:15 - 3:15 Parallel sessions

3:15 - 3:45 Stretch break (offline)

3:45 - 4:45 Parallel sessions

4:45 - 5:00 Tea break (offline)

5:00 - 6:00 Town Hall discussion and Wrap-up

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“Roundtable” Discussion

Addressing Doubts about Ungrading

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Addressing Doubts about Ungrading - Panelists

Lori Mesrobian, PhD lmesrobi@usc.edu

Associate Professor (Teaching) of Spanish

Lori Mesrobian teaches intermediate and advanced Spanish grammar and composition courses in the Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures, as well as freshman General Education seminars about the Spanish Civil War. She has led a Faculty Learning Community about ungrading through the Dornsife Center for Languages and Cultures (CLC). She will be a USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) Faculty Fellow starting in Fall 2023.

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Addressing Doubts about Ungrading - Panelists

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS mwithers@usc.edu

Associate Professor of Clinical Preventive Medicine, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Mellissa Withers is an Associate Professor of clinical preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She also directs the Online MPH Program, as well as the Global Health Program of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, a non-profit network of 60+ leading research universities in the region.She was a USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) Faculty Fellow.

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Addressing Doubts about Ungrading - Panelists

Kendra Walther, MS kwalther@usc.edu

Associate Professor of Technology Practice

Kendra Walther serves as Associate Director for Faculty Affairs and an Associate Professor in the Information Technology Program at USC. She was a USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) Faculty Fellow and is currently pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership from USC Rossier School of Education. Kendra is passionate about teaching and is constantly trying to find more ways to help her students understand the principles of programming. Kendra believes in lifelong learning, and really enjoys learning about how people learn best.

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Introductions and Using Padlet

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Journey into Ungrading

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Common Doubts: Faculty

  • How to find a supportive network?
  • How to get buy-in?
    • From other faculty
    • From TAs
  • What about the workload?

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Common Doubts: Grades

  • Does everyone get an A?
  • How do we navigate institutional requirements?
  • How do you assign a final course grade?

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Common Doubts: Students

  • Are we modeling the real-world?
  • How do we help students learn and grow?
  • What about motivation and procrastination?

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How to Start

  • Start small.
  • Find a supportive community.
  • Talk to your students and be prepared to reassure them.
  • Don’t make assumptions.
  • Be flexible and have realistic expectations.

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What are your doubts? �How can we be of service?

Let’s explore your questions in the Padlet.

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It takes a village.

Let’s continue to help and support each other.

Presenters: �Lori Mesrobian (lmesrobi@usc.edu) Kendra Walther (kwalther@usc.edu Mellissa Withers (mwithers@usc.edu)

Additional Resources:

Opportunity:

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What’s next?

Now until 2:15 Lunch break (offline)

Next Parallel sessions

2:15 - 3:15 12A - Equity and inclusion in Alternative Grading

12B - SOTL research on Alternative Grading (part 1)

12C - Alternative Grading in large classes