Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Deadline: Register for an Alternative Grading Learning Community

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Interested in exploring alternative grading in a supportive and collaborative space? Join an Alternative Grading Learning Community! These learning communities aim to help instructors rethink how grading shapes learning by engaging with research-informed alternatives to “traditional” grading.

THEME 1: Exploring Grading Learning Community. This community is designed for instructors completely new to alternative grading – no prior knowledge or experience required! Through collective reading, discussion, and reflection, we will examine how grading structures shape student motivation and equity, and will identify concrete ways to redesign assessments, reassessment policies, and grade calculations to better reflect student learning.

• “Exploring” FLC – Wednesdays @ 3:00-4:15pm Eastern Time on Feb 10, Feb 24, March 17, March 31, April 14, April 28

THEME 2: “Ungrading” Learning Community. This community is designed for instructors specifically interested in ungrading as an alternative grading method/philosophy. We will read selections from Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) edited by Susan D. Blum and other sources. The Ungrading learning community invites instructors to critically examine the role of grades themselves and explore pedagogical approaches that minimize, delay, or resist traditional grading practices. Through shared readings and dialogue, participants will reflect on power, trust, and student agency in assessment, and consider how feedback, self-evaluation, and reflective practices can support learning in contexts where grades are reduced, reimagined, or decentered.

• “Ungrading” FLC – Tuesdays @ 12:00-1:15pm Eastern Time on Feb 9, Feb 23, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27

Questions? Email Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]).

Deadline: Faculty Learning Community: Alternative Grading

Register here by Friday, January 23 | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

FLC #1 Wednesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb. 25, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6
FLC #2 Thursdays @ 2:00-3:15pm on Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb. 26, March 19, April 9, April 23, May 7

Interested in exploring alternative grading in a supportive and collaborative space? Join one of the Alternative Grading Learning Communities! Over the semester we will engage in a learning community, participate in a design workshop, and then share & get feedback on our re-designed grading systems at a charrette. Participants could be eligible for up to $100 in gift cards!

Learning Community Meetings: We will meet via Zoom to discuss Grading for Growth (David Clark and Robert Talbert). You can choose to register for either learning community.
FLC #1 Wednesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb. 25, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6
FLC #2 Thursdays @ 2:00-3:15pm on Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb. 26, March 19, April 9, April 23, May 7
*If these dates do not work for you, join the NVCC-hosted FLC on alternate Tuesdays, 4-5pm, starting Feb 3

Design Workshop: We will work through Chapter 11 of the Grading for Growth book – this is an opportunity to put into practice what we have read and talked about, by re-designing a course grading scheme. Participants from all FLCs will gather via Zoom on Wednesday, May 20, 10am-2pm.

NOVA-GMU Charrette: A charrette is an opportunity to collaboratively design and get feedback from peers – bring in-progress grading scheme drafts to share in this full-day workshop on Friday, June 5 (in-person at the NOVA Annandale Campus).

Research Participation: You are invited to participate in a research study exploring your experience in these learning communities. Participants who complete a brief post-meeting reflection (5-7 minutes) after each meeting will receive a $50 gift card, and participants who attend the design workshop and charrette are eligible for another $50 gift card.

Questions? Email Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]).

FLC open to GMU and non-GMU faculty/instructors

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Faculty Learning Community #2: Alternative Grading

Register here. | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

A Learning Community (LC) is a collaborative space where instructors, staff, and graduate students can come together to explore specific themes or issues related to teaching and learning. Regular meetings provide opportunities for reflective practice, where participants share and provide peer feedback. In these Alternative Grading Learning Communities, we will explore how different grading approaches can transform the way we evaluate and respond to student work. Participants who complete all of the pre- and post-meeting reflections/surveys will receive a $50 gift card.

  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #1: Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Sept. 9, Sept 30, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 9
  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #2: Wednesdays @ 1:00-2:15pm on Sept 10, Oct 1, Oct 22, Nov 12, and Dec 3

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Faculty Learning Community #1: Alternative Grading

Register here. | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

A Learning Community (LC) is a collaborative space where instructors, staff, and graduate students can come together to explore specific themes or issues related to teaching and learning. Regular meetings provide opportunities for reflective practice, where participants share and provide peer feedback. In these Alternative Grading Learning Communities, we will explore how different grading approaches can transform the way we evaluate and respond to student work. Participants who complete all of the pre- and post-meeting reflections/surveys will receive a $50 gift card.

  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #1: Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Sept. 9, Sept 30, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 9
  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #2: Wednesdays @ 1:00-2:15pm on Sept 10, Oct 1, Oct 22, Nov 12, and Dec 3

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.