Emily Pitts Donahoe
@empittsdonahoe.bsky.social
Associate Director at the University of Mississippi's Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning. Pedagogy, alt grading, teaching writing and lit. Substack: Unmaking the Grade. Opinions are my own. https://t.co/8ABfZoim4C
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
I'm being made to understand that grades don't "mean anything anymore" but I'm hoping someone can point me to the time when they were meaningful.
November 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I'm being made to understand that grades don't "mean anything anymore" but I'm hoping someone can point me to the time when they were meaningful.
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
I'm working on a genealogy of alternative grading practices for the book @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social and I are writing for Princeton UP. We're calling the book *How to Grade: Alternative Models for the College Classroom*. 1/x
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I'm working on a genealogy of alternative grading practices for the book @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social and I are writing for Princeton UP. We're calling the book *How to Grade: Alternative Models for the College Classroom*. 1/x
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
They broke the republican supermajority in the Mississippi state senate
respect to the organizers and power to the people
respect to the organizers and power to the people
November 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
They broke the republican supermajority in the Mississippi state senate
respect to the organizers and power to the people
respect to the organizers and power to the people
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
Stiked to be visiting 'Ole Miss to give a talk on #SnafuEdu! @josheyler.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social & @liznorell.bsky.social are my awesome hosts.
But I already made a mistake: ordered toast instead of grits for breakfast this morning.
www.oupress.com/978080619546...
But I already made a mistake: ordered toast instead of grits for breakfast this morning.
www.oupress.com/978080619546...
Snafu Edu - University of Oklahoma Press
No matter how skilled, thoughtful, and well prepared professors are—or how motivated and engaged their students might be—things sometimes go wrong. In th...
www.oupress.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Stiked to be visiting 'Ole Miss to give a talk on #SnafuEdu! @josheyler.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social & @liznorell.bsky.social are my awesome hosts.
But I already made a mistake: ordered toast instead of grits for breakfast this morning.
www.oupress.com/978080619546...
But I already made a mistake: ordered toast instead of grits for breakfast this morning.
www.oupress.com/978080619546...
Please do not use AI to grade. If demands on your time are such that you cannot provide students with timely and substantive feedback, that is a labor issue, and you should join your union. open.substack.com/pub/marcwatk...
The Dangers of using AI to Grade
Nobody Learns, Nobody Gains
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Please do not use AI to grade. If demands on your time are such that you cannot provide students with timely and substantive feedback, that is a labor issue, and you should join your union. open.substack.com/pub/marcwatk...
Only one week left to apply for the Center for Grading Reform's Alternative Grading Institute! This two-day, hands-on, virtual experience offers opportunities to connect grading with your values and design an alt grading system for one of your courses. www.centerforgradingreform.org/alternative-...
Alternative Grading Institute
www.centerforgradingreform.org
October 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Only one week left to apply for the Center for Grading Reform's Alternative Grading Institute! This two-day, hands-on, virtual experience offers opportunities to connect grading with your values and design an alt grading system for one of your courses. www.centerforgradingreform.org/alternative-...
Really honored to be included in this list!
1/2
My new essay on AI (www.alfiekohn.org/article/ai/) includes quotes from, or links to, writings by @emilymbender.bsky.social, @palan57.bsky.social, @stopgenai.com, @ddmeyer.bsky.social, @zachczaia.bsky.social, @lutzfernandez.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social, @garymarcus.bsky.social ....
My new essay on AI (www.alfiekohn.org/article/ai/) includes quotes from, or links to, writings by @emilymbender.bsky.social, @palan57.bsky.social, @stopgenai.com, @ddmeyer.bsky.social, @zachczaia.bsky.social, @lutzfernandez.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social, @garymarcus.bsky.social ....
The Chatbot in the Classroom, the Forklift at the Gym
EDUCATION WEEK September 22, 2025 The Chatbot in the Classroom, the Forklift at the Gym By Alfie Kohn [This is a significantly expanded version of the published article, which was given a different ti...
www.alfiekohn.org
October 8, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Really honored to be included in this list!
Really enjoyed this conversation with colleagues about AI in the classroom! It left me with lots to think about.
In today's Tea for Teaching podcast, @josheyler.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social , and @marcwatkins.bsky.social join us for a lively discussion of issues related to the use of AI in higher education. @cyberthread.bsky.social teaforteaching.podbean.com/e/faculty-pe...
Faculty Perspectives on AI | Tea for Teaching
Faculty adoption and use of AI in higher education varies widely. In this episode, three colleagues from the University of Mississippi: Josh Eyler, Emily Pitts Donahoe, and Marc Watkins, provide their...
teaforteaching.podbean.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Really enjoyed this conversation with colleagues about AI in the classroom! It left me with lots to think about.
Absolutely thrilled to be on a very special episode of @tihe.bsky.social with @bonni208.bsky.social today for a discussion about Grading for Growth (cc @dccmath.bsky.social and @roberttalbert.bsky.social)! teachinginhighered.com/podcast/lear...
Learning About Grades from an Emerging Failure and Special Guest Emily Donahoe – Teaching in Higher Ed
Emily Pitts Donahoe shares what we can learn about grades from an “emerging failure” on episode 588 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast
teachinginhighered.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Absolutely thrilled to be on a very special episode of @tihe.bsky.social with @bonni208.bsky.social today for a discussion about Grading for Growth (cc @dccmath.bsky.social and @roberttalbert.bsky.social)! teachinginhighered.com/podcast/lear...
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
Are you ready to align your grading practices with your values?
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Alternative Grading Institute
www.centerforgradingreform.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Are you ready to align your grading practices with your values?
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
Third & final post in my series on Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 3
What We Learned and Where We Might Go Next
open.substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Third & final post in my series on Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
Well, it's been real, I guess!!
Unfortunately, Bluesky is unavailable in Mississippi right now, due to a new state law that requires age verification for all users.
While intended for child safety, we think this law poses broader challenges & creates significant barriers that limit free speech & harm smaller platforms like ours.
While intended for child safety, we think this law poses broader challenges & creates significant barriers that limit free speech & harm smaller platforms like ours.
August 22, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Well, it's been real, I guess!!
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
I'm really looking forward to visiting the UM CETL in October! Gonna talk about Snafu Edu & hang out with #SoTL superstars like @josheyler.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social & @liznorell.bsky.social.
Plus a visit from @geekypedagogy.bsky.social to talk about her new book *SNAFU EDU*!
August 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I'm really looking forward to visiting the UM CETL in October! Gonna talk about Snafu Edu & hang out with #SoTL superstars like @josheyler.bsky.social, @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social & @liznorell.bsky.social.
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
Excited to share this new post in our series on neurodivergence and alternative grading!
The second post in a series on neurodivergence and alternative grading by @sarahesilverman.bsky.social and myself is live! In this post, we review some existing discourse on the topic. beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 2
Some existing discourse
beyondthescope.substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Excited to share this new post in our series on neurodivergence and alternative grading!
The second post in a series on neurodivergence and alternative grading by @sarahesilverman.bsky.social and myself is live! In this post, we review some existing discourse on the topic. beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 2
Some existing discourse
beyondthescope.substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The second post in a series on neurodivergence and alternative grading by @sarahesilverman.bsky.social and myself is live! In this post, we review some existing discourse on the topic. beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
And this is why “historian” is usually at the top of those dumb lists of professions most vulnerable to AI. It’s because people don’t understand what historians, or the humanities more broadly, *do*! They think it’s just learning and regurgitating facts!
I think this is all true, but I also think about the number of people who have assumed my PhD (in history) took a long time because it takes that long to memorize all those facts. They eschew skill building, of course, but also confuse knowledge accumulation/regurgitation with knowledge production.
Something that I have been thinking about with attribution of "PhD level intelligence" or "PhD level expertise" to a machine is that it reflects an increasing trend among these AI bros and their sycophants to want the products of highly skilled training without actually doing any of the work.
August 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
And this is why “historian” is usually at the top of those dumb lists of professions most vulnerable to AI. It’s because people don’t understand what historians, or the humanities more broadly, *do*! They think it’s just learning and regurgitating facts!
I'm really excited to be working with @sarahesilverman.bsky.social on this series about neurodivergence and alt grading. More coming soon!
The first in a planned series of 3 posts w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social - All about alternative grading and neurodivergence. The first post explains why we are interested in this topic. Two next 2 explore what others have written and where we should go next
beyondthescope.substack.com/cp/169858001
beyondthescope.substack.com/cp/169858001
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 1
Why we're curious about this topic
beyondthescope.substack.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I'm really excited to be working with @sarahesilverman.bsky.social on this series about neurodivergence and alt grading. More coming soon!
“The tools EdTech entrepreneurs hope to make part of the core infrastructure of education…take for granted that students will accept almost any inconvenience, indignity, and even physical discomfort if they know it is required to attain a high grade.” theamericanvandal.substack.com/p/against-te...
Against Technofeudal Education
Pillars For Protecting Our "Core Infrastructure" From OpenAI
theamericanvandal.substack.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
“The tools EdTech entrepreneurs hope to make part of the core infrastructure of education…take for granted that students will accept almost any inconvenience, indignity, and even physical discomfort if they know it is required to attain a high grade.” theamericanvandal.substack.com/p/against-te...
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
Out Now! "Snafu Edu: Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom" by @geekypedagogy.bsky.social is like a preparedness kit and gives teachers an educational “go-bag” of insights and strategies to have at the ready when things go sideways. www.oupress.com/978080619546...
July 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Out Now! "Snafu Edu: Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom" by @geekypedagogy.bsky.social is like a preparedness kit and gives teachers an educational “go-bag” of insights and strategies to have at the ready when things go sideways. www.oupress.com/978080619546...
I'm excited to share last week's blog post by guest contributor Noël Ingram! I definitely learned a lot from Noel's experiences. If you're thinking about how to handle AI in your classroom this fall, her reflections are a must-read. emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com/p/off-the-ra...
Off the Rails: Reflections on a Semester with “AI Tracks” and Rethinking Student AI Agency
A guest post by Noël Ingram
emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com
July 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I'm excited to share last week's blog post by guest contributor Noël Ingram! I definitely learned a lot from Noel's experiences. If you're thinking about how to handle AI in your classroom this fall, her reflections are a must-read. emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com/p/off-the-ra...
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
In today's Tea for Teaching podcast, @geekypedagogy.bsky.social joins us to discuss her new book, Snafu Edu, which explores ways of addressing classroom issues and offers recommendations for proactive approaches to these issues. teaforteaching.podbean.com/e/snafu-edu/ @cyberthread.bsky.social
Snafu Edu | Tea for Teaching
Most books and resources devoted to professional development focus on strategies that faculty can use to create a positive learning environment for our students, but generally assume that everything w...
teaforteaching.podbean.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
In today's Tea for Teaching podcast, @geekypedagogy.bsky.social joins us to discuss her new book, Snafu Edu, which explores ways of addressing classroom issues and offers recommendations for proactive approaches to these issues. teaforteaching.podbean.com/e/snafu-edu/ @cyberthread.bsky.social
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
Teaching literary theory has been the most influential approach I’ve used to improve HS students’ interpretive ability.
Theory helps them see what’s possible with interpretation, not just what’s permitted by “correct” readings.
#literacies #iteachenglish #edusky
open.substack.com/pub/trevoral...
Theory helps them see what’s possible with interpretation, not just what’s permitted by “correct” readings.
#literacies #iteachenglish #edusky
open.substack.com/pub/trevoral...
Why I Teach Literary Theory to High Schoolers (and you should too)
Helping students read the word and world-system one lens at a time
open.substack.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Teaching literary theory has been the most influential approach I’ve used to improve HS students’ interpretive ability.
Theory helps them see what’s possible with interpretation, not just what’s permitted by “correct” readings.
#literacies #iteachenglish #edusky
open.substack.com/pub/trevoral...
Theory helps them see what’s possible with interpretation, not just what’s permitted by “correct” readings.
#literacies #iteachenglish #edusky
open.substack.com/pub/trevoral...
Today's the day! Can't wait to get started with the 2025 Grading Conference!
The 2025 Grading Conference starts tomorrow! Follow and use #TheGradingConference to see snippets from our incredible sessions and participate in the conversation!!
Also, check out today's 100th episode of The Grading Podcast where we talk about the origins of the Conference! www.thegradingpod.com
Also, check out today's 100th episode of The Grading Podcast where we talk about the origins of the Conference! www.thegradingpod.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Today's the day! Can't wait to get started with the 2025 Grading Conference!
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
New on the UVA Teaching Hub: "Exploring and Defining an Educator's Scope of Practice," a collection curated by Penny Edwards featuring useful resources from @karencosta.bsky.social and @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social. teaching.virginia.edu/collections/...
Exploring and Defining an Educator's Scope of Practice — UVA Teaching Hub
<p>It can be challenging to manage all the responsibilities associated with teaching, advising students, and engaging in research and service to your department, college, or discipline. Reflecting on ...
teaching.virginia.edu
May 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
New on the UVA Teaching Hub: "Exploring and Defining an Educator's Scope of Practice," a collection curated by Penny Edwards featuring useful resources from @karencosta.bsky.social and @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social. teaching.virginia.edu/collections/...
Reposted by Emily Pitts Donahoe
I had the BEST TIME chatting with @covingtonedu.bsky.social this morning! I’m such a YAPPER, but it was the BEST convo about AI + the purpose of education! Can’t wait for y’all to hear it soon!
Just wrapped up an amazing conversation with @heymrsbond.com where we finally talked about this article and so much more about the relationship of AI and education!
Somebody invite me on your podcast to talk about this article!
May 28, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I had the BEST TIME chatting with @covingtonedu.bsky.social this morning! I’m such a YAPPER, but it was the BEST convo about AI + the purpose of education! Can’t wait for y’all to hear it soon!