B3F: Exploring alternative grading models for teaching statistics

Abstract

This breakout session will focus on how three statistics instructors at Elon University each use different alternative grading approaches in their statistics courses and how those approaches have evolved over time. We will discuss the ways our teaching philosophies have led us to revise our assessment methods, and we will offer reflection on what has worked and what hasn't worked in our classes. This will include tips about ways to ease into alternative grading and what to do when a single approach doesn’t fit your course. We will share feedback from students on their perceptions of the usefulness and fairness of these grading methods compared to other traditionally graded courses. Attendees will have a chance to reflect on their own courses and discuss possible grading approaches with other attendees, so it will be beneficial to identify a course or assessment whose grading system you’d like to revise prior to attending. Lastly, we will share resources and communities that we’ve found helpful in the ongoing evolution of our grading approaches. The goal is for each attendee to leave with ideas about how to modify their grading approaches and some resources to help them accomplish this. While our courses typically have between 20 and 30 students, some ideas should be able to apply to larger or smaller settings.