Take this grading & bin it: Simplify lab report grading with the bins-based grading system

    

Suzanne E. Thuecks and A. Daniel Johnson

Advances in Biology Laboratory Education, 2025, Volume 45

https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v45.art36

Supplemental Materials: https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v45.sup36

Abstract

Tired of spending your nights and weekends grading lab reports, feeling like your comments are not even read by students? Bins-based grading may be for you, and your large introductory lab courses too! Dan Johnson has implemented this method of commenting and grading on papers in introductory biology labs at Wake Forest University, training many GTAs in the process. Suzanne Thuecks uses the system in introductory biology at Washington College, a small liberal arts school, and has trained professors and adjuncts. By using strategic commenting on rough drafts and clear communication with students, we improve student writing while drastically reducing instructor time in grading.

Keywords:  grading, lab reports, bins-based grading, writing

University of Maryland (2024)