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Implementing Ungrading in a Video Journalism Course
Implementing Ungrading in a Video Journalism Course
Project Objective:
Institute an “ungrading” strategy in the Fundamentals of Video Journalism course, forgoing percentage grades for grades of complete/incomplete + detailed feedback that is connected to a set of specific skills to be developed in the class. Students will receive a letter grade at the end of class and will conference with the instructor during the mid-term and the final portion to determine their final grades.
3-Minute "Flash Talk" Summary of Project and Outcomes
Spikes - 2025Searle Fellows Flash Talk.movTools used in the class:
Skills to Master List – All students will receive a list of 14 key skills that they will need to master in the class. Each skill will be associated with a mastery statement, which they can use throughout the class to self-assess their progress with each.
Written feedback is provided instead of grades – All “grades” given to students will indicate if the assignment is complete or incomplete. If a student has not completed an assignment, they will be told what is needed to complete it focuses on their progress with the skills identified to master in the class for each assignment.
Written feedback will be based on the skills to master list, and use a “glow & grow” approach, where positive aspects will be highlighted, and specific improvements will be suggestedOption to Opt-Out: Students in the class will be given an opportunity to “opt out” of the ungrading strategy where the gradebook function of Canvas will be accessible for these students. However, their experience in class will be the same as all other students.
Incorporate in-class group “challenges” and peer feedback sessions to build a culture of continued development: - In these “challenges”, students will work in pairs to complete a task that applies the use of specific skills learned in class during a single lab session. Students will then evaluate their products with their partner and be tasked with providing feedback to that partner.
Mid-term progress meetings for all students – During these meetings, students will be asked to review the skills list and describe their current progress in class.
End-of-Course written reflection & grade proposal form - All students in the final week of class recieved a copy of all of the written feedback given on their projects, focusing on 3 capstone level projects, from which students reviewed and composed a short written reflection on their progress. After doing so, students were given an opportunity to propose the grade that they thought they had earned in the class, and had to use specific evidence from the feedback to support their choice.
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