Successes and challenges in implementing specifications grading in skills-based laboratory courses: Experiences at two colleges of pharmacy.
Competency-based education
Grading
Mastery learning
Skills laboratory
Specifications grading
Journal
Currents in pharmacy teaching & learning
ISSN: 1877-1300
Titre abrégé: Curr Pharm Teach Learn
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101560815
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 2023
02 2023
Historique:
received:
12
10
2021
revised:
02
11
2022
accepted:
24
02
2023
medline:
1
5
2023
pubmed:
11
3
2023
entrez:
10
3
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Specifications grading, a grading schema focused on mastery of skills, may provide an alternative to traditional grading. Specifications grading uses three components (pass/fail grading, bundles, and tokens) to allow students to demonstrate competency in specific areas as part of competency-based education. The purpose of this article is to outline specifications grading and review its implementation at two colleges of pharmacy. Two colleges of pharmacy used specifications grading within a first-year skills-based laboratory course. Instructors identified key skills for each course and the minimum performance levels for each grade (A, B, C, etc.). Each college evaluated skills that aligned with course learning objectives. Incorporating specifications grading helped better align assignments and assessments to course learning objectives. Instructors felt specifications grading introduced more rigor into the course. Instructors identified four challenges when implementing specifications grading, including: (1) lack of integration into the learning management system, (2) initial student confusion, (3) modifications needed due to unforeseen circumstances, and (4) logistical issues when implementing token exchange. Many of these challenges can be overcome with instructor tracking of passed assignments and earned/redeemed tokens, periodic reinforcement of the grading schema with students, and creating flexibility within the course, especially the first time the schema is implemented. Specifications grading was successfully implemented in two skills-based courses. Challenges encountered with implementing specifications grading will be continually addressed. Implementation of specifications grading in other forms of course deliveries (e.g., electives, didactic) may require adjustment and further evaluation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Specifications grading, a grading schema focused on mastery of skills, may provide an alternative to traditional grading. Specifications grading uses three components (pass/fail grading, bundles, and tokens) to allow students to demonstrate competency in specific areas as part of competency-based education. The purpose of this article is to outline specifications grading and review its implementation at two colleges of pharmacy.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING
Two colleges of pharmacy used specifications grading within a first-year skills-based laboratory course. Instructors identified key skills for each course and the minimum performance levels for each grade (A, B, C, etc.). Each college evaluated skills that aligned with course learning objectives.
FINDINGS
Incorporating specifications grading helped better align assignments and assessments to course learning objectives. Instructors felt specifications grading introduced more rigor into the course. Instructors identified four challenges when implementing specifications grading, including: (1) lack of integration into the learning management system, (2) initial student confusion, (3) modifications needed due to unforeseen circumstances, and (4) logistical issues when implementing token exchange. Many of these challenges can be overcome with instructor tracking of passed assignments and earned/redeemed tokens, periodic reinforcement of the grading schema with students, and creating flexibility within the course, especially the first time the schema is implemented.
SUMMARY
Specifications grading was successfully implemented in two skills-based courses. Challenges encountered with implementing specifications grading will be continually addressed. Implementation of specifications grading in other forms of course deliveries (e.g., electives, didactic) may require adjustment and further evaluation.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36898890
pii: S1877-1297(23)00025-4
doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.02.025
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
186-193Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.