A Decolonial Practice? Unpacking Power and Positionality in Ungrading

• In Event: Assessing Student Learning and Academic Impact

Abstract

Though alternative approaches to grading are not new, there has been a rising interest in the practice of ungrading – or engaging alternative feedback and evaluation processes instead of or in addition to traditional letter grades. Through this discourse analysis of recent books, journal articles, and blog posts focused on ungrading, I engage in questions of how notions of power are present or absent in discussions of ungrading. Ultimately, I argue that discussions of ungrading must attend to issues of power beyond race-neutral students and instructors to broader systems of oppression to situate itself as part of efforts to decolonize higher education.

Authors

• Annabelle Estera, Endicott College
  Presenting Author

• Emiko Blalock, Michigan State University
  Presenting Author

• Autumn Hendrickson, Endicott College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Leslie Duhaylongsod, Salem State University
  Non-Presenting Author