Technolandy

Day 52 (of 2025/26) grades clarified based on @ibogost view on grades via @theatlantic 

Grade inflation – a neat article by Ian Bogost, but I think one that could use a bit of … extra information… https://apple.news/AGyQDkTXZQJGolepJCHOFWQ

One of the strategies that has helped students do better on tasks (this on reports where the focus is more on task completion than authentic learning) has been the use of standards and exemplars which explain what things should look like in order to get a particular grade/level of achievement… clarity is kind. 

And it is inappropriate to cap the number of As – that reinforces that grading and assessment is done to the learner, not based on the artifacts demonstrating learning. The goal should be 100% with As (for those still using the archaic measurements of beef to share evaluations of learning) 

It’s also why portfolios > transcripts because letters and %s do not communicate what a learner has done nearly as effectively as artifacts of learning connecting to the big ideas and learning standards. Much better than how achievement on pop quizzes based only on memory may work out. 

And I am at the “rolling my eyes” era when I see computers = cheating. To be fair – cheating is as old as writing things down. Want to stop cheating? Close the libraries and take away the pens and pencils. 

The tough part for people to adjust to is the fact that computers and AI are helping equalize information focused on that 17th century apex of educational showmanship: the essay. Helping organize thoughts… unpack and untangle wording… feedback on ideas and sentence structure. And some are feeling this is unfair… I ask how many essays have you worked on outside of school – reports ain’t essays and visual presentations can help tell a story better than 1000 words… communication becomes the focus got the format becomes personalized. 

I love Ian’s reference to holistic assessment though: “I would judge a student as a whole person rather than as a series of assignment transactions”

That is a great idea, but without mindful use even it can get influenced by legacy names, family situations, among many reasons why legacy acceptances for universities would be a tremendous step forward to make access more equitable. 

Points punish, feedback guides next steps in learning!!