20 ways to cut your grading time in half

“20 ways to cut your grading time in half” was an article that caught my eye, however it was the name of the blog that further piqued my curiosity, the “Cult of Pedagogy”.

 

Jennifer Gonzalez, the Editor in Chief of the Cult of Pedagogy is quick to point out that it isn’t actually a cult, but an online collection of blogs, podcasts, videos and resources, run by a team of people committed to “making you more awesome in the classroom”. Gonzalez started blogging in 2013 and has amassed a range of strategies and learning conversations to support teachers.

 

“20 ways to cut your grading time in half” is simply a collection of ideas to mix and match to help cut back on the time you spend grading student work. Some of the strategies will work more easily in the context of Years 7 -10 or primary school, which is Gonzalez’s background, however, many will work in any teaching context.

 

Research tells us that feedback is key to improving student learning. Gonzales suggests that providing only feedback on a task, instead of grading, is one way to reduce time.  She uses the example of a gymnast learning a new skill, and writes that they don’t receive a score from their coach each time they attempt the skill. The learning period is about trial and error, practise and feedback. Similarly, narrowing your focus when grading so as to only assess a few skills, for example grammar or terminology, is another way to reduce time.

 

Gonzales asks if we can find ways in which to use some kind of shorthand, teach our students how to interpret this, and in turn reducing repeated comment writing. Along with this, having a marking station in the corner of the room, where students can go and correct their own work or even just the simple ‘see three before me’ concept, can reduce the time a teacher spends correcting class tasks.

 

Whilst, we cannot remove the need to assess our student’s work, we can change our approach. This article is helpful in suggesting how we can work a little bit smarter and a little less harder, but still strive to improve student learning.

 

For further information: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/

Scroll to Top