Unlearn Grading to Ungrade Learning: Part 1 – A SAFE Topics Podcast
Good afternoon campus community,
In our latest episode release, the SAFE Topics team had a conversation with faculty members on the topic of ungrading! We explore ideas like deconstructing traditional grading, assessment being a conversation, meeting resistance, and self-reflections. Join hosts Sean and curry alongside Joe Salamon (Physical Science), Chad Tsuyuki (English), Virginia “Gin” Schwarz (English & Literature), and James Garcia (Sociology) as we talk about the world of ungrading. This episode is one for the books! Keep an eye out for Part 2 coming in the Spring ‘22 semester!
Access the transcript for this episode.
And don’t forget to listen to the mini-series, “Hyflexing,” with hosts Sean and curry!
Ways to Listen!
What to Listen For
- How are we all thinking about assessment in our classrooms?
- Is ungrading a privilege reserved for full time faculty?
- Points, points, points!
- Deconstructing the years of high school grade trauma.
- The myths of the transactional relationship vs an authentic relationship.
- Ungrading isn’t a radical idea – it’s being used in other places too.
- “If you don’t do this, you won’t get that.”
- The self-worth tied to the grades.
- How the grade becomes the message.
- Having both flexibility and rigidity.
- Have you been met with resistance to ungrading?
- The importance of feedback.
- Grades still matter → We’re still working within a paradox.
- Thoughts on the affective, formative, and summative.
- Being way less stressed when you don’t have to be a policing person.
- Making sure we have these conversations and self-reflecting.
The S.A.F.E. Topics Team
curry mitchell – Faculty, Letters (Co-host)
Sean Davis – Faculty, Sociology (Co-host)
Mana Tadayon – Student (Co-host)
Kelly Barnett – Intern and Music Technology Student (Audio Editor)
James Garcia – Associate Faculty, Sociology (Show Notes, Online)
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