Exit Slip: Oct 14th

 Engaging Students and Moving Away From Grades

In general, I agreed with everything that was shown today, especially with Jo Boaler because that is something I have experience as a student in my university classes. The 'Think-Pair-Share' strategy is something that I am very fond of because I believe in such a style of the social aspect of learning that I will most definitely implement in my profession.

On the other hand, I have a sense of uneasiness in me regarding Alfie Kohn's idea of why grades do more harm than do good. On one hand, I can totally relate to where is coming from. I have chosen my high school elective and grades I received because I had to go into a university. Even in university, I was surrounded by friends who did research on the average GPA of the class so they can find the easiest elective they can take and receive the highest grade possible. There was no passion or interest in the topic involve when deciding on those electives. I do not know if this is something we can address by changing the system we live in, and if it is then the change has to be from top to bottom or bottom-up. 

Another idea that I was wondering was if there is no grade then what will replace that formal assessment. Would the assessment be in reflection of the progression of the individual students? If it is not done at the individual level, it means there would be certain thresholds and standards that all students have to meet, but is that not the same as having a grade? If it is assessed as individual, then that requires a very thorough understanding of students and their knowledge. Would that mean there has to be some sort of formal assessment to find where everyone is? 

I feel like, this class was good in that I encountered a lot of ideas that I really connect with and agree with, but still came out with more questions than answers.