If we put our energies into showing students that what we ask them to do is valuable outside of the course, we wouldn’t have to put so much energy into point-ivizing everything.
I have often dreamed of being able to just teach, without giving students assignments that are graded by which a final grade can be determined. In a college setting where students earn grades at the end of each semester, this dream seems impossible. But I do also teach in ungraded settings ("life long learning" classes at libraries and other community groups) and I so much more enjoy teaching this way.
I still struggle with finding a way to bring this more spontaneous and conversational style of teaching into my college classrooms. But, inevitably, I fall back on more formal lecture and giving students work to do and tests to take. I have gotten students who are attentive, come to class every day, participate in classroom discussions but then don't do any work by which I can assign a grade at the end of the semester. It is sad that, in the end, I have to "fail" these students. But I am sure they have gotten something of value out of the course.
I have often dreamed of being able to just teach, without giving students assignments that are graded by which a final grade can be determined. In a college setting where students earn grades at the end of each semester, this dream seems impossible. But I do also teach in ungraded settings ("life long learning" classes at libraries and other community groups) and I so much more enjoy teaching this way.
I still struggle with finding a way to bring this more spontaneous and conversational style of teaching into my college classrooms. But, inevitably, I fall back on more formal lecture and giving students work to do and tests to take. I have gotten students who are attentive, come to class every day, participate in classroom discussions but then don't do any work by which I can assign a grade at the end of the semester. It is sad that, in the end, I have to "fail" these students. But I am sure they have gotten something of value out of the course.
I'd like to add a Facebook group I belong to that is focused on discussions about this topic of "ungrading": https://www.facebook.com/groups/teachersthrowingoutgrades