Agreed—rejection often feeds imposter syndrome. Each rejection helps us uncover & understand how Ss feel, especially when traditional grading impacts them at their most vulnerable moments (like in writing). Better to build a compassionate environment where correction builds rather than tears down.

Thanks for the mention, Josh!

This issue of Zeal has two Provocations & Occasions essay: one on teaching race in philosophy classes and one of resisting GAI to protect our students humanity by @dbuckedu.bsky.social.

Just added you—thanks!

As a FYW instructor (mostly online), students seem to research more responsibly & ethically when exploring topics for which they are passionate. Instead of depending on the “answer machine” spitting out AI slop, they are more motivated to use credible, authoritative sources. The kids are alright!

A talking point to add — Alternative grading approaches de-incentivize students’ use/dependence on AI slop way better than horrible, unreliable surveillance software which only create a culture of suspicion. When we reform traditional grading, we open ourselves to human trust & learning potential.

Just added. 👍🏼

Reminds me of a recent news story about a bank that fired its customer service staff & replaced them with an AI-powered chat bot. Of course, the bot performed so poorly that the bank’s management had to scramble to rehire the human staff. If all labor is efficiency & productivity, this is expected.

Yup—that about sums it up. What’s more sad to admit is that the original creators of Canvas possessed an honest approach to pedagogy and learning (IMHO), but this original intent has definitely been corrupted by profit & money-driven ownership. Though imperfect, the originating vision is long gone.