This post may be of limited use/interest to many folks, but I just sent it to the AP Psych listserv, so I thought I'd post it over here too in case anyone is interested.
I started to get interested in researching assessment and grading practices because of a comment made by one of my psych students. After we finished going over a developmental psych test, the class took the day before, this student said "Hey, I think I know more about developmental psych now as a result of going over the test!" I mentally patted myself on the back, but then she said "And isn't our grade supposed to be the way you operationally define our learning?" Warning bells went off in my head, but I said yes, it was. Then she said "So shouldn't our grades improve?"
That student was kind of teasing me, but after that I got very interested in my grading practices (and ended up changing some of them). Below is a list of authors I like to read on this topic - if anyone else has favorites, add them in the comments?
- Ken O'Connor
http://www.oconnorgrading.com/ - Lots of detail about "troubleshooting" grades. There is a danger that some of his writing can come across as "preachy" or unrealistic (esp. the A Repair Kit for Grading book) but definitely worth reading and thinking about.
- Thomas Guskey
http://education.uky.edu/EDP/guskey - If anyone is talking about changing report cards ("Standard Based Reporting"), Guskey is the author to read.
- Sue Brookhart
http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/oscb/faculty/Brookhart-S.aspx - I think she's writing the best stuff right now about formative assessment (descriptive feedback, etc.)
- AND finally, there is a thriving online conversation about standards based grading via Twitter and Blogs. I think much of these bloggers ideas are more accessible and more useful than the published pieces from the authors above. I love reading about the creative ways teachers are using the "spirit" of standards based grading in REAL classrooms. The Think Thank Thunk blog is the best place to start (but there are many others)
http://101studiostreet.com/wordpress/?page_id=114posted by Rob McEntarffer
A few years ago, I read V.S. Ramachandran's book on Phantom Limb Syndrome for a brain course I was taking. I've also seen him as a narrator or expert on multiple series. He offers a refreshing and understandable explanation of how the human brain works.
I discovered a new blog today: You are Not so Smart. In addition to the fabulous name, it looks like they do a good job concisely summarizing cognitive errors in humorous ways. Each post tackles a "misconception", following it with the boldly named "The Truth."
Of course, since the training was sponsored by the College Board and was much about preparing for the AP exam, Don took us through some unique and innovative ways to both prepare our students for the exam as well as cover the content. I live much of my life in my head. Don demonstrated and involved the group in a series of activities that allow us to assist the students in learning using some great mnemonics and activities that I would never have thought of or used prior to today. Even after 24 years of teaching, there is still so much more to learn. Although he supplied all his information on a CD, I took about 8 pages of notes. Don's presentation was excellent and he will also be teaching three week-long summer workshops. If you can, attend one--you will be well instructed and have a fun time. Your students will be the better for it.
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