Grading systems are abusive to some students. The expectation of a grade creates a fear of failure for students. Assignments must allow for mistakes. Therefore, mistakes are a learning experience and must not be graded as failures. A school must be a haven for learning and not failure.
Grading Systems and Novice Teachers
Also, many new teachers feel grading systems are daunting. Actually, grading students is a cumbersome job for all teachers. Hence, grades are now a transformation from an effective way to learn to a goal in itself. They force students to memorize details. They disregard true comprehension of the material. Also, grades do not provide feedback for deep learning. They create a climate that restricts innovation and learning.
Hurt or Help
There is practically no research that proves grades make students learn more and work harder in class. However, the evidence shows that grades hurt academic motivation and inhibit the process of learning. For some students, grades promote cheating. Grades kill intrinsic motivation. The engagement of students in learning is important. Thus, motivation is the main factor.
Open communication and free-thinking with students make them feel important. It provides motivation to learn. Praise and recognition motivate students. Consequently, a risk-free, friendly climate motivates students to learn.
Grades do not give students ownership of their learning. However, they are a necessity in schools. How they are approached in the classroom makes a difference in learning. There are various approaches as teachers grade assignments.
- -Do not grade everything. It is okay not to grade every assignment.
- -Feedback is important. However, not every assignment needs written comments for improvement. Oral suggestions help move the learning.
- -Students can provide feedback on other student’s assignments. Rubrics assist as students look at the work of others.
- -Give only assignments that demonstrate content learning and/or specific skills. Meaningful assignments are best. Busy work is nonsensical.
In the perfect world of education, students do not receive grades. However, the system is not perfect. With the pandemic, many changes need to be made. Possibly, changes in the system of grading students are among the changes.
