Chapter 9 FIAE: Ten Approaches to Avoid When Differentiating Assessment and Grading

This chapter outlines ten things to avoid with differentiation. Two that really stood out to me were: avoid grading practice (homework), and avoid allowing extra credit and bonus points. The first one concerning avoiding grading homework I feel is really important. Because I know that when I was a student in the classroom I didn’t enjoy taking the homework I had done and turning it in just for a grade without any discussion on the homework that we had the night prior. Giving homework is fine, but having it as a check to make sure it was completed is all that the teacher really needs to see, grading what they are doing for practicing to master the content just seems to tear the students down. The second thing of avoiding extra credit and bonus points is really interesting for me. Because the student side of me really wants to say that that’s not fair, but the teacher side of me knows that when giving extra credit, it needs to be presented to the whole class, or all students taking that particular class. Which then leads to more work for me. I like the alternative idea though of improving old work instead. Both sides of me like this, the student and the teacher, because it makes it easy on both. While in the classroom I will definitely use this technique.