Optional Texts: aligned content

Hammond, Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: Part 3

The third section of the Hammond text, “Building Intellective Capacity,” returns to neuroscience research on how learning occurs. Hammond offers four macro-level instructional strategies: Ignite, Chunk, Chew, and Review.

Hogan and Sathy, Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Chapter 6 (Inclusive Practices Outside the Classroom)

All too often, educators focus exclusively on what happens inside the classroom without considering ways that we can promote inclusive learning environments before our students ever begin our classes. Chapter 6’s emphasis on “Inclusive Practices Outside the Classroom” provides a great perspective on how we can convey the kind of welcome and support that is so crucial when creating those relationships that help students learn more effectively.

Readings

Asao Inoue, Labor-Based Grading Contracts: Building Equity and Inclusion in the Compassionate Writing Classroom

From the publisher’s description: “Drawing on antiracist teaching practices, [Inoue] argues that labor-based grading contracts offer a compassionate approach that is strongly grounded in social justice work….The heart of the book details the theoretical and practical ways labor-based grading contracts can be used and assessed for effectiveness in classrooms and programs. Inoue concludes his exploration of labor-based grading by moving outside the classroom, considering how assessing writing in the socially just ways he offers in the book may provide a way to address the violence and discord seen in the world today.”

Frank Harris III and J. Luke Wood, How to Respond to Racial Microaggressions When They Occur

Harris and Wood, whose research informed the creation of our Equity Rubric, provide a mnemonic for handling microaggressions in the moment: R.A.V.E.N. The article breaks down the steps in this practice.

1. Redirect the Interaction
2. Ask probing questions
3. Values clarification
4. Emphasize your own thoughts and feelings
5. Next steps

Jesse Stommel, Ungrading: An Introduction

Stommel, who has become a leading advocate in critical digital pedagogy, breaks down the concept of “ungrading.” Spoiler: it’s not just letting students give themselves an A!

Youki Terada, Why the 100-Point Grading Scale Is a Stacked Deck

Terada traces the history of the 100-point grading scale, challenging commonly-held misconceptions about the value of grades for learning along the way.

Cathleen Beachboard and Erika Kersey, Getting Started With Standards-Based Grading

From the article: “Research studies…show that using standards-based grading helps ensure that grading and reporting is more meaningful, accurate, and fair. Additionally, [standards-based grading] ensures that homework, behavior, attendance, notebooks, and group work are not factored into a student’s grade. Standards-based grading allows students to be graded solely on mastery of course content, which can improve student motivation and help with equity.”

Media and Other Resources

Open Education Network, Open Pedagogy Portal

Seeking discipline-specific examples or other detailed resources to help you get started with Open Pedagogy? This is the site for you! Explore these openly-licensed resources, both for use in your own classes and for resources you can share with colleagues. For example, if your department chose to explore Open Pedagogy as a group equity priority, they could start with Unleashing the Power of Open Pedagogy and Renewable Assignments (a 90-minute overview of how to shift to renewable assignments), then consider completing the Professional Development Course on Open Access and Open Pedagogy as a department. The possibilities are many!

Microaggressions in the Online Classroom: Open Case Studies

An example of Open Pedagogy in action, these case studies were created by undergraduates at the University of British Columbia, with the goal of providing educators realistic examples for practice in mitigation of microaggressions in learning environments.

Video: Responding to Racial Bias and Microaggressions in Online Environments (1 hr 8 minutes)

Harris and Wood break down the definitions and effects of microaggressions, advocating for proactive and immediate engagement from educators seeking to foster equitable learning environments. You’ll be able to hear the originators of the R.A.V.E.N. approach walk through its implementation.