Proposal Title
Making courses flexible: From grading schemes to assignments - their impact on student learning outcomes
Session Type
Presentation
Room
P&A 148
Start Date
7-7-2017 1:40 PM
Keywords
flexible learning, modern assignments, adaptive learning
Abstract
Recently there has been a renewed interest in understanding how different student learning styles impacts the design and implementation of courses, particularly with respect to assessments (Leite et al., 2010). Moreover, due to the nature of the courses in the basic and life sciences, there is often very little variation in the assessments of learning that are used, which often causes both the learner and educators a great deal of stress and angst. It is also becoming increasingly clear that different styles of learning and learners would benefit from having a greater variety of assessments used within these courses (Leite et al. 2010), likely by reducing student stress levels. We introduce a discussion of the rationale surrounding flexible student assessments, the various types of flexible options for students (from "re-weighting" options to "reduced impact" assessments), how these flexible assessments reduce student stress, and how these types of flexible assessments can be implemented across different courses will be presented. At the end of this session, participants will have an understanding of how flexible learning assessments positively impact student learning and engagement from both instructor and student perspectives, and will be able to identify several examples of flexible assessments that could be adapted for use in their own courses to reduce stress and enhance learning.
Leite et al. (2010). Educational and Psychological Measurement., 70(2), 323–339.
Elements of Engagement
- We will present and have available sample flexible course syllabi and assignments that can be templated for use in other courses (via including links to electronic templates)
- We will be engaging in surveys of participants before, during and after the presentation using Polleverwhere
Making courses flexible: From grading schemes to assignments - their impact on student learning outcomes
P&A 148
Recently there has been a renewed interest in understanding how different student learning styles impacts the design and implementation of courses, particularly with respect to assessments (Leite et al., 2010). Moreover, due to the nature of the courses in the basic and life sciences, there is often very little variation in the assessments of learning that are used, which often causes both the learner and educators a great deal of stress and angst. It is also becoming increasingly clear that different styles of learning and learners would benefit from having a greater variety of assessments used within these courses (Leite et al. 2010), likely by reducing student stress levels. We introduce a discussion of the rationale surrounding flexible student assessments, the various types of flexible options for students (from "re-weighting" options to "reduced impact" assessments), how these flexible assessments reduce student stress, and how these types of flexible assessments can be implemented across different courses will be presented. At the end of this session, participants will have an understanding of how flexible learning assessments positively impact student learning and engagement from both instructor and student perspectives, and will be able to identify several examples of flexible assessments that could be adapted for use in their own courses to reduce stress and enhance learning.
Leite et al. (2010). Educational and Psychological Measurement., 70(2), 323–339.