Rebecca H Penny, PhD

Ungrading presents an opportunity to foster student engagement while achieving core learning outcomes. This interactive half-day workshop is designed for current and future educators interested in exploring or refining non-traditional assessment practices. Through relevant examples, participants will examine various models for the implementation of ungrading and engage with its objectives to foster intrinsic motivation, encourage creative thinking, and support a curriculum rooted in humanized assessment. Special focus will be given to the distinct potential of plant-centric courses to further these aims. Participants will have opportunities to learn, discuss, brainstorm, and collaborate on course objectives, policies, and strategies for applying ungrading in their specific teaching contexts. Through this workshop, attendees will gain insights into their assessment philosophies, a clearer understanding of ungrading, and practical scaffolding to consider future application of non-traditional grading practices. Bringing a pre-existing syllabus or course description is encouraged but not required. Optional pre-reading, a curated list of resources, and collaborative work documents will also be provided.