Leveraging CMS tools to support proficiency based grading in online science classes

Presented by: K. Allison Lenkeit Meezan, Professor of Geography & Geospatial Technology, Foothill College

Speaker Bio:

Allison Lenkeit Meezan teaches Geography and Geospatial Technology at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Allison teaches numerous courses online and hybrid, including the first completely online Physical science laboratory science course at Foothill, a GIS computer lab course, and social science lecture courses. Allison co-facilitates her campus’ local Peer Online Course Review (POCR) and is an advocate for online teaching that matches or exceeds the quality of traditional face to face teaching. Allison holds a BS in Geological and Environmental Sciences from Stanford University and an MPhil in Geography from Cambridge University.

Session Info:

Proficiency based grading is a powerful tool for building equity and ensuring that students achieve mastery of course learning outcomes. This talk will share how proficiency based grading has been used in an Introductory Physical Geography lab science class, and how the CMS tools can be leveraged to create a transparent, equitable, high touch teaching environment that gives students ownership of their grade. The talk will also discuss how CMS tools can reduce instructor workload, while creating a course with authentic engagement with course outcomes and overall increased retention and success.

Session Outcomes:

• Describe how course and unit level outcomes can be applied to create a transparent and equitable teaching environment that builds a deep level of understanding of the course material.
• Demonstrate how CMS tools can be leveraged to create a high-touch, high engagement virtual learning environment that reduces instructor workload.
• Discuss how applying CMS tools in a proficiency based grading environment can empower students to take ownership of their class grade and their learning.

Session Resources:

Leveraging CMS Tools to support MEEZAN