Driven by the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) ENVISION2030, and in the pursuit of improving the way students learn, DUT was privileged to have Professor Tyrone Groh from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona (USA) sharing his knowledge and experiences on Specifications Grading at the first joint SURE/SoTL webinar held last Tuesday, 15 February 2022.

Prof Groh highlighted that specifications or specs grading “is a quiet, yet cataclysmic way to turn grading into a force for learning”.  This generally occurs in terms of combining three elements namely, satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading of all assignments and tests, a token system that allows students limited redo’s and flexibility, and classwork grouped into bundles such that students can choose the grade to earn a D, C, B or A.

Prof Groh emphasized that at the core of specs grading is the organisation of instruction around a set of learning objectives and having clearly articulated rubrics.

He added that in this way, students can then make the strategic choice of how they intend to perform in the module taking into consideration that each grade is connected to a level of learning from introductory to mastery.

Given the positive feedback from colleagues both internal and external to DUT, a hands-on training on Specs Grading is to follow later this year.

Pictured: The project leaders of SURE, (Dr Anisa Vahed, Prof Sibusiso Moyo (DVC: RIE), and CELT’s Nalini Chitanand), along with Prof Tyrone Groh and other attendees, at the webinar .

Dr Anisa Vahed