In her 2014 book, Specifications Grading, Linda Nilson proposed a new system for grading student work. Specifications or “specs” grading involves allowing students to choose a bundle of assignments (which may be defined by quantity and quality of work) to earn a course grade. The instructor designs assignments with clear performance criteria, allowing them to grade assignments as pass/fail (with some opportunities for students to redo work). Specs grading is a highly flexible grading schema which allows instructors to set high-but-achievable goals for students, saves time on grading, and motivates students. In this workshop, we’ll explore methods of implementing specs grading on a small or large scale in your course.

This pedagogy workshop is designed for Humanities instructors, but instructors from any discipline are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to have a copy of their syllabus handy.

All workshops will be conducted via Zoom eastern time.

Please register to attend by 12 a.m. on June 29. We are unable to accept same-day registrations at this time.

Please contact workshops@teaching.pitt.edu for any questions.