Specifications-Based Grading in an Introduction to Proofs Course

Abstract

This article describes a system of specifications-based grading used in an introduction to proofs course. The system was introduced to address two issues that arose in the course: how to spend less time grading and how to encourage use of feedback. We describe the implementation of the system and the results on grading and on students.

Keywords:

• Specifications-based grading
• course design
• foundations
• proofs
• SBG

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank the students for embracing this new system of grading and helping improve it through their feedback. The author also wishes to thank all of the anonymous referees for carefully reading and critiquing the manuscript. Each referee gave thorough and helpful suggestions that have greatly improved this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kristopher Williams

Kristopher Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at Doane University. He received his BA in mathematics and computer science from Luther College in 2006, his MS in mathematics from the University of Iowa in 2008, and his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Iowa in 2011. His research interests include hyperplane arrangements, combinatorial game theory and undergraduate mathematics education. He is a 2011 MAA Project NeXT Fellow. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, teaching his children to win at games, and learning Korean.