Student Perceptions of Academic Grades and Grading: A Comparison of American and Taiwanese University Students

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Social and Cultural Influences on Learning and Motivation

Abstract

This study explored the potential impact of culture, as reflected in students’ nationality, on student perceptions of their academic grading experiences. The analysis of American and Taiwanese students’ responses to an online survey about grades and grading experiences revealed significantly different perceptions on a majority of survey items, as well as several important areas of consistent agreement in students’ perceptions. American and Taiwanese students significantly differed in 18 (78%) of 23 items related to their thoughts and attitudes about the role and impact of grades and grading. Interestingly, students from both nationalities expressed similar perspectives about the positive affects of both “good” and “poor” grades, which are perceived to increase effort to study.

Authors

• Edward J. Caropreso, University of North Carolina - Wilmington

• Sue-Jen Chen, University of North Carolina - Wilmington