Assessment 3.0 is today’s blackboard, and it can revolutionize teaching and learning. Best of all, it doesn’t require any inventions or manufacturing costs. Assessment 3.0 involves replacing traditional grades with conversation, self-evaluation and narrative feedback using SE2R or a similar model.

After many years of using traditional grading practices, I realized that my students needed more. “A” students were just good at manipulating an outdated system, and “F” students didn’t try, because they were convinced they couldn’t learn. What if we just talk about learning, I wondered. So, I threw out numbers, percentages and letters and stopped grading anything and everything my students ever did. Instead, I provided SE2R feedback: A one- or two-sentence Summary of what had been done. An Explanation of what I observed that students had mastered, based on lessons and guidelines and what still needed to be accomplished. When more learning needed to be demonstrated, I Redirected students to prior lessons and models. I asked for reworked items to be Resubmitted for further assessment. This is SE2R. It’s simple and can be used with any age in any class and delivered in a variety of ways, including through digital tools and social media. Best of all, SE2R creates conversation about learning.