Investigating the effects of fluency-based assessment and grading system on student engagement and motivation (Yeow Siow)
CATE Seminar Series
October 5, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location
TEB 201 or online on Zoom
Address
924 S. Morgan St., Rm 201, Chicago, IL 60607
Calendar
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This Fall 2023 the CATE Seminar Series will feature the work of experienced UIC instructors who completed the CATE Janet Riddle Action Research Scholars program, a year-long professional learning program investigating how their instructional practices and curriculum impacted the learning experiences of their students in their courses. In this hour-long session, participants will learn about the Action Research Scholars’ project findings, and have the opportunity in an interactive part of the session to reflect on and talk to their colleagues about how to apply the scholars’ teaching strategies, research methodology, and/or research findings to their own practice and research. This seminar will be in a synchronous-distributed format: It is an on-campus, in-person event with the option to join online via live streaming. Light refreshments will be provided.
Speaker: Yeow Siow, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Title: Investigating the effects of fluency-based assessment and grading system on student engagement and motivation
Abstract: Many nonconventional grading systems, such as standards-based and competency-based methods, have proven successful in improving student course learning outcomes. This project examines a newly developed fluency-based assessment system (FAS), and aims to answer the research question of how it impacts student engagement and motivation.
The conventional assessment system in engineering often penalizes student ingenuity and creativity, discourages learning through research, peer consultation and reflection, and undermines the growth mindset. At best, the conventional grading system in engineering rewards students who consistently exercise, and adhere to, textbook precision in problem solving. Oftentimes, however, the conventional system unjustly measures student success, and it can cause undue anxiety and frustration among students, leading to disengagement and lowered motivation.
The FAS seeks to address the pitfalls of the conventional system by focusing on the learning process rather than course grades. An example of FAS was implemented in a core mechanical engineering course in Spring 2023, and data was collected using a self-reporting instrument. Results show that, compared to the conventional system, FAS generally does a better job in helping students stay engaged with the course content and keeping students motivated throughout the term.
Format: This seminar will be in a synchronous-distributed format. It is an on-campus, in-person event with option to join online via live streaming.
Inclusivity & Accessibility Information: UIC is committed to full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of university life. CATE’s online events are delivered through Zoom and may include breakout rooms and group discussion. CATE’s in-person events typically involve a combination of presentation and discussion-based activities. We welcome ASL interpreters, note-takers, and accompanying assistants to all CATE events. If you have questions about access, such as parking or building layouts, or wish to request accommodations for our programming, such as real-time captioning (CART), ASL services, or obtaining event materials in alternative formats, please contact the event lead, Crystal Tse (tsecryst@uic.edu).
Date posted
Aug 1, 2023
Date updated
Aug 30, 2023