Transform Your Computer Science Course with Specifications Grading

As proposed by Linda B. Nilson and Joseph A. Packowski in Specifications Grading 2.0: Restoring Rigor, Motivating Students, Saving Faculty Time, and Developing Career Competencies, Specifications Grading is an assessment paradigm that relies on complete/incomplete grading of assignments and assessments, the structuring of course content into modules linked to learning outcomes, and the bundling of assignments and assessments within those modules. One intention of this type of course grading construct is to align assessment more closely with student attainment of intended learning outcomes. Many of the features of Specifications Grading make it more equitable. While there has been very visible work in incorporating Specifications Grading in some academic areas (e.g., in mathematics), examples of the use of Specifications Grading in computer science courses are less common, but increasing. The goal of this tutorial is to introduce the concepts of Specifications Grading and explain how to apply these concepts to a wide range of computing courses and class sizes. You will learn that it can be implemented on a continuum, and is not an all or nothing approach. Each participant should leave the tutorial with the ability to revise their course syllabus and assignments to incorporate Specifications Grading. Access to many examples and resources will be provided.