Easy Self Graded Assignment Ideas for the K-12 Classroom
If you’ve been around for a bit, you know that I emphasize that finding self graded assignment ideas will change your life. Some teachers feel it is lazy and others don’t understand how it can possibly work; however, finding self graded assignment ideas will help you get so much time back in your life (both inside and outside of the classroom).
Self Graded Assignment Benefits
When it comes to schoolwork, many students feel overwhelmed and stressed. This is especially true when they have a lot of work to do in a short period of time. Often, the best way to reduce this stress is by breaking the work down into smaller tasks. Unfortunately, for some students, this can be difficult because they don’t know where to start.
Many students begin their homework, only to become overwhelmed with the amount of work they must complete. No matter how easy or difficult a task may be, it is still stressful for many students when they are required to do the same thing every day for several weeks. Finding self graded assignment ideas can help break down homework into smaller tasks that are more manageable and also can give the students (and you) feedback instantaneously. This in turn can reduce stress and help to guide instruction moving forward.
When teachers find self graded assignment ideas, they often witness the difference it makes; however, we all know that it takes time to change old habits. Therefore, I will share some tips on how you too can start using this concept in your classroom.
Self Graded Assignment Tips
1) Remember, You Can Find Self Graded Assignment Ideas or Make Your Own
You can always find self graded assignment ideas online or you can even create your own (which is what I did when I started and I wrote about in the past). Either way, this will give your students instant feedback and reduce stress both within the classroom and at home.
2) Start with a Small Group of Students
When you are first starting to use self graded assignment ideas, it is best to start with a small group of students. This will help you become comfortable with the process as well as allow you to give feedback quickly and easily. You can always move on to a larger group of students once you feel comfortable.
3) Encourage Participation
Many self-grading programs allow you as the teacher to see the status of where your students are in completing the assignment. This is very helpful as a means to not only keep track but to encourage your students to get the work done. When students see that you are keeping track, they will be more likely to get the work done.
4) Use a Variety of Programs
Using different programs for your self grading assignments can help keep things interesting for both you and the students. This can help keep them engaged and more willing to try different apps.
5) Check in with Students Throughout the Process
Checking in on your students throughout the process may be helpful for some students; however, it is important to remember that you are not their teacher. This means, don’t spend too much time helping out or staying after school to track down a kid who is not doing their work.
6) Find a System That Works for You
You know your classroom and you know your students better than anyone else. Therefore, when you find self graded assignment ideas or make them yourself, it is important to make sure the system works well with you and your students. Do alterations as needed to make sure everyone is on the same page moving forward.
Natural Troubleshooting
The best part about something being self-grading (minus the fact that you don’t have to spend hours grading!) is that you can see issues in real-time and can stop larger problems before they start. For instance, if a student is having trouble with a particular question, you can help them on the spot. By doing this, you are able to help them learn the material while they are still working on the assignment.
On the other hand, if a student has completed the assignment but has made several mistakes, you can use this as an opportunity to review the material with the entire class.
This also helps you determine the best path moving forward for your teaching. If it seems that many students struggled in a particular area, you can see it immediately and approach it accordingly. If there seem to be “pockets” of students who are struggling with different concepts, you can easily break them into groups to give individualized attention where it is needed.
Using self-grading assignments will help you differentiate even better because you have hard data to work with, not just guessing…or the stress of trying to get that data together, but there simply not being enough hours in the day.
Why you should use self-grading assignments NOW
One of the best things about self-grading assignments is that they give you immediate feedback on how well your students are doing. This means that you can differentiate instruction in real-time which is an incredible asset to have.
Another great benefit of self-grading assignments is that it takes some of the pressure off of you as a teacher. This allows for more creativity during your lesson plans which will ultimately culminate in increased student engagement.
Finally, self-grading assignments can help students feel more inclined to do their work without having to rely on another person to check over it. This means the entire assignment is the student’s responsibility and they are able to check their own work and learn from any mistakes that they may have made.
A while back, I created an explanation of seven different programs that are very user-friendly that are self-grading. These brief tutorials are very helpful for all teachers, new or old. If you are interested in seeing them, please fill in the form below and you will be taken right to the breakdown of information.
In short, using self-grading assignments can help reduce teacher stress, increase student engagement and help students learn how to better check their own work. If you are not currently using them in your classroom, I highly suggest that you start today!
Final Thoughts
Self grading assignment ideas can be a lifesaver for both you and your students. It can help reduce stress, help with instruction and give feedback instantaneously.
Although it may take some time to get used to, I promise that it is worth it! Try out a few different programs or make your own and see how it goes. Remember, these tips are just a jumping-off point – you can always alter them to fit your needs.
It doesn’t matter what grade, level, or subject you teach, either. These self-grading programs are more than just a multiple-choice option (which means, yes, you can even use them in math!) and can be tailored to fit any need.
Think about it: As a teacher, one of the most dreaded tasks is grading assignments. Not only does it take time away from planning or preparing for future lessons, but it can also be extremely stressful. Trying to find the time to grade everything (while also meeting classroom expectations, attending meetings, etc.) is often a daunting task. On the one hand, if a student has completed the assignment but has made several mistakes, you can use this as an opportunity to review the material with the entire class.
In conclusion, finding self graded assignment ideas can be a great way to reduce stress for both you and your students. It can also help maintain order throughout the day by knowing exactly what your students are doing at any given time. Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas to help keep things light around the classroom.
Please feel free to leave comments about any other self graded assignment ideas that you have used or plan on using! We all know that sharing is caring! 😉
Thanks again for reading and I hope you found this article helpful in your quest for self graded assignment ideas! Good luck with your classes!
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About the Author: Jenn Breisacher
After moving from a teacher-dominated classroom to a truly student-centered one, Jenn found herself helping colleagues who wanted to follow her lead. In 2018 she decided to expand outside of her school walls and help those out there who were also trying to figure out this fantastic method of instruction to ignite intrinsic motivation in their students. Read more about her journey with Student-Centered World at studentcenteredworld.com/about
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