The Problem with Grades

Traditional grading systems encourage students to focus on final grades, sometimes at the expense of learning. In this episode, Jessamyn Neuhaus, Ashley Cambareri, and Cole Bailey discuss challenges associated with traditional and alternative grading systems. Jessamyn is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and Professor in the School of Education at Syracuse University. She is an historian and editor of Teaching History: A Journal of Methods. Jessamyn has published extensively in scholarly publications in the areas of history, pedagogy, and cultural studies. She is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Teaching. Jessamyn is the author of several books, including Geeky Pedagogy: A Guide for Intellectuals, Introverts, and Nerds Who Want to be Effective Teachers, Snafu Edu: Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom and she is the editor of Picture a Professor: Interrupting Biases about Faculty and Increasing Student Learning. Ashley graduated in May as an honors student with a degree in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education from the School of Education at Syracuse University, and will begin her new job as a 5th-grade teacher this September. Cole is a student in the Renée Crown Honors Program at Syracuse University, studying International relations. Ashley and Cole were students in Jessamyn’s Honors class on “Problems with Grades.” Show notes and the transcript for this episode may be found at http://teaforteaching.com