A Specifications Grading Assignment for Critical Reading and Scientific Literacy
Emily Jobe, University of Cincinnati
Keywords:
Specifications Grading, Critical Reading, STEM
Key Statement:
This assignment, geared for nonmajors in the natural sciences, combines critical reading with scientific literacy and gives students multiple chances to meet the minimum expectations.
Abstract:
Applying the ideals of specifications grading or mastery grading to content-focused STEM courses can be challenging. This series of assignments, for nonmajors or majors, combines critical reading with scientific literacy and gives students multiple chances to improve. The assignments “Analyze a Secondary Source”, “Analyze a Primary Source” and “Analyze an Experiment” can be adapted to any scientific discipline. The questions are mostly non-subjective and can be graded very quickly, while teaching students how to navigate sources. Students are required to submit two of each assignment type and are given 3 additional attempts to answer 80% of the questions correctly.
Hear it from the author:
Transcript:
Are you a STEM instructor who wants to build more information literacy into your class?
Have you heard of specifications grading but don’t want to apply it to your entire class?
Do you think introductory students need more practice with experimental design? Then
come learn about a series of assignments that I developed as part of a course redesign
of Intro Biology I for nonmajors that gives students multiple chances to demonstrate
proficiency in the assignment and incorporates science in the news, information literacy,
identifying components of experimental design, and interpreting results. Thanks.
References:
Arnaud, C. H. (2021). How an alternative grading system is improving student learning. Chemical & Engineering News, 26(30), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.47287/cen-09915-cover
Nilson, L. (2014). Specifications grading: Restoring rigor, motivating students, and saving faculty time. Stylus Publishing.
Rempel, H. G., & Hamelers, R. (2023). Teaching critical reading skills: Strategies for academic librarians. Association of College and Research Libraries.