Visit the MMM Course on Blackboard to access the password.
OVERVIEW
Standards-based grading and specifications grading are forms of mastery grading, which is an alternative to traditional percentage or points-based grading scales. In standards-based grading, the course grade is assigned based on how many course standards the student has mastered. In specifications grading, students are given detailed requirements (specifications) for each assignment; course grades are assigned based on how many assignments the student has completed to the specifications. This program provides specific instruction about the relationship between backward design and mastery grading, while leading to how to implement mastery grading into your course.
LEARNING GOALS
After viewing this program, participants will be able to:
- Fully understand what “backward design” actually is
- Discuss the relationship between backward design and mastery grading
- Understand the basics of mastery grading
- Create a plan to implement mastery grading in a course
TOPICS COVERED
- Backward design—a brief description of steps
- Mastery grading overview
- Specifications grading example
- Standards-based grading example
- Benefits and challenges of using standards-based grading
- Steps for implementing mastery grading
- Outcomes
- Evidence
- Criteria (Example: EMRF rubric)
- Revisions
- Course grade
- Steps for implementing mastery grading
- Suggestion for using mastery grading with a common final exam