Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
@jessifer.bsky.social
Irascibly optimistic. Ungrading. Critical Digital Pedagogy. Professor at U of Denver. Owner of PlayForge. Co-founder of Hybrid Pedagogy. Author of Undoing the Grade and An Urgency of Teachers. One of Hazel’s dads. he/him. https://www.jessestommel.com
Pinned
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
Can we do assessment differently, in ways that increase access, support greater inclusion, improve learning outcomes, and enhance the experience of teaching and learning?
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
I STRONGLY encourage all educators to read this amazingly well-researched article from @themarkup.org about the issues of AI-detection software and who really benefits from it (spoiler: it is not our students): themarkup.org/artificial-i...
#AI #GenAI #HigherEd
HT @jessifer.bsky.social
#AI #GenAI #HigherEd
HT @jessifer.bsky.social
California colleges spend millions to catch plagiarism and AI. Is the faulty tech worth it? – The Markup
Colleges and universities renew Turnitin subscriptions year after year even though its flawed detectors are expensive and require students to let the company keep their papers forever.
themarkup.org
June 28, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I STRONGLY encourage all educators to read this amazingly well-researched article from @themarkup.org about the issues of AI-detection software and who really benefits from it (spoiler: it is not our students): themarkup.org/artificial-i...
#AI #GenAI #HigherEd
HT @jessifer.bsky.social
#AI #GenAI #HigherEd
HT @jessifer.bsky.social
“Turnitin monetizes student intellectual property and contributes to a culture of suspicion in education.”
I’m quoted in a recent article from @themarkup.org @calmatters.org and @chronicle.com
themarkup.org/artificial-i...
I’m quoted in a recent article from @themarkup.org @calmatters.org and @chronicle.com
themarkup.org/artificial-i...
California colleges spend millions to catch plagiarism and AI. Is the faulty tech worth it? – The Markup
Colleges and universities renew Turnitin subscriptions year after year even though its flawed detectors are expensive and require students to let the company keep their papers forever.
themarkup.org
June 27, 2025 at 10:50 PM
“Turnitin monetizes student intellectual property and contributes to a culture of suspicion in education.”
I’m quoted in a recent article from @themarkup.org @calmatters.org and @chronicle.com
themarkup.org/artificial-i...
I’m quoted in a recent article from @themarkup.org @calmatters.org and @chronicle.com
themarkup.org/artificial-i...
Just saw M3gan 2.0. Loved it. I was nervous about the shift from horror to spy thriller action, but it worked. Lots of genre winks, and I laughed until I cried at one point (which involved one of my favorite Kate Bush songs).
a silhouette of a woman in a purple light with the words megan 2.0 on the bottom
ALT: a silhouette of a woman in a purple light with the words megan 2.0 on the bottom
media.tenor.com
June 27, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Just saw M3gan 2.0. Loved it. I was nervous about the shift from horror to spy thriller action, but it worked. Lots of genre winks, and I laughed until I cried at one point (which involved one of my favorite Kate Bush songs).
So far, my review of Bluesky is that it is everything that was unpleasant about 2015 Twitter and not much of what was truly great. I’m still not sure why it ever made sense to clone the structure of a platform that had so thoroughly combusted. I’m here for now, and will attempt to remain open.
May 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
So far, my review of Bluesky is that it is everything that was unpleasant about 2015 Twitter and not much of what was truly great. I’m still not sure why it ever made sense to clone the structure of a platform that had so thoroughly combusted. I’m here for now, and will attempt to remain open.
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
“The work, though, is not to imagine that the hierarchy doesn't exist (it does), but to work together with students to dismantle it. That work starts by talking frankly about how these systems work and how the culture of grades impacts us.“
Can we do assessment differently, in ways that increase access, support greater inclusion, improve learning outcomes, and enhance the experience of teaching and learning?
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
May 24, 2025 at 2:12 AM
“The work, though, is not to imagine that the hierarchy doesn't exist (it does), but to work together with students to dismantle it. That work starts by talking frankly about how these systems work and how the culture of grades impacts us.“
Can we do assessment differently, in ways that increase access, support greater inclusion, improve learning outcomes, and enhance the experience of teaching and learning?
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
May 24, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Can we do assessment differently, in ways that increase access, support greater inclusion, improve learning outcomes, and enhance the experience of teaching and learning?
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
A lovely read ahead of #TheGradingConference in a few weeks.
I especially loved "a bunch of quantitative legalese masquerading as pedagogy" as a turn of phrase—perhaps because it so accurately describes where I, and probably many others, started.
I especially loved "a bunch of quantitative legalese masquerading as pedagogy" as a turn of phrase—perhaps because it so accurately describes where I, and probably many others, started.
"The work of ungrading is to push back on the culture of grades and quantitative assessment that reinforces hierarchies between students and teachers, while reducing both to a set of crude (often inscrutable) data points." www.jessestommel.com/the-practice...
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:39 AM
A lovely read ahead of #TheGradingConference in a few weeks.
I especially loved "a bunch of quantitative legalese masquerading as pedagogy" as a turn of phrase—perhaps because it so accurately describes where I, and probably many others, started.
I especially loved "a bunch of quantitative legalese masquerading as pedagogy" as a turn of phrase—perhaps because it so accurately describes where I, and probably many others, started.
It’s been almost two years since I’ve written something entirely new about ungrading. Really glad to have this out in the world. It’s a simple piece but it gets to some incredibly practical aspects of this work that I haven’t written about before.
"The work of ungrading is to push back on the culture of grades and quantitative assessment that reinforces hierarchies between students and teachers, while reducing both to a set of crude (often inscrutable) data points." www.jessestommel.com/the-practice...
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
It’s been almost two years since I’ve written something entirely new about ungrading. Really glad to have this out in the world. It’s a simple piece but it gets to some incredibly practical aspects of this work that I haven’t written about before.
"The work of ungrading is to push back on the culture of grades and quantitative assessment that reinforces hierarchies between students and teachers, while reducing both to a set of crude (often inscrutable) data points." www.jessestommel.com/the-practice...
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"The work of ungrading is to push back on the culture of grades and quantitative assessment that reinforces hierarchies between students and teachers, while reducing both to a set of crude (often inscrutable) data points." www.jessestommel.com/the-practice...
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
There are no shortcuts, to learning or to digging ourselves out of what feels like a very deep hole. But there are small steps. We do have choices!
“If education is going to prevail in its mission, it will require those who teach to lead the way. And I believe it can start with small things, like the choices you make when designing your next class, or the sentences you write on your syllabus…”
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io/the-pedagogy...
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io/the-pedagogy...
The Pedagogy We Practice
On May 20, 2025, I was invited to keynote the Spring Pedagogy Institute at Plymouth State University. The text of that keynote is below, followed by the slide presentation.
It’s been awhile since I’v...
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io
May 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
There are no shortcuts, to learning or to digging ourselves out of what feels like a very deep hole. But there are small steps. We do have choices!
“If education is going to prevail in its mission, it will require those who teach to lead the way. And I believe it can start with small things, like the choices you make when designing your next class, or the sentences you write on your syllabus…”
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io/the-pedagogy...
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io/the-pedagogy...
The Pedagogy We Practice
On May 20, 2025, I was invited to keynote the Spring Pedagogy Institute at Plymouth State University. The text of that keynote is below, followed by the slide presentation.
It’s been awhile since I’v...
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io
May 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
“If education is going to prevail in its mission, it will require those who teach to lead the way. And I believe it can start with small things, like the choices you make when designing your next class, or the sentences you write on your syllabus…”
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io/the-pedagogy...
seanmichaelmorris.ghost.io/the-pedagogy...
Very excited that I was invited to contribute to the latest issue of Teaching Media from @jcmsjournal.bsky.social — edited by @lisawj.bsky.social and @jennblaylock.bsky.social and featuring pieces by @jeanketterling.bsky.social @briannajc.bsky.social and more.
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
Journal of Cinema and Media Studies - TeachingmediaFind us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram
quod.lib.umich.edu
May 14, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Very excited that I was invited to contribute to the latest issue of Teaching Media from @jcmsjournal.bsky.social — edited by @lisawj.bsky.social and @jennblaylock.bsky.social and featuring pieces by @jeanketterling.bsky.social @briannajc.bsky.social and more.
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
Part II of our JCMS teaching dossier on ungrading is here! Check out my intro, "Risky Business." Thanks, as ever, to my wonderful co-editor @jennblaylock.bsky.social! I'll shout out some of our terrific contributors in the comments below.
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
#ungrading #teaching
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
#ungrading #teaching
Journal of Cinema and Media Studies - TeachingmediaFind us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram
quod.lib.umich.edu
May 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Part II of our JCMS teaching dossier on ungrading is here! Check out my intro, "Risky Business." Thanks, as ever, to my wonderful co-editor @jennblaylock.bsky.social! I'll shout out some of our terrific contributors in the comments below.
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
#ungrading #teaching
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
#ungrading #teaching
“Rather than focusing on financial education on the ‘Big Three,’ this study suggests improving financial well-being by helping students access public benefits and other material supports.”
educationnorthwest.org/publications...
educationnorthwest.org/publications...
Financial Knowledge and Basic Needs Insecurity Among Undergraduate Students
Can increasing financial knowledge among college students reduce basic needs insecurity? Explore our findings from nationally representative data.
educationnorthwest.org
May 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
“Rather than focusing on financial education on the ‘Big Three,’ this study suggests improving financial well-being by helping students access public benefits and other material supports.”
educationnorthwest.org/publications...
educationnorthwest.org/publications...
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
Letter to the editor in today's NY Times advocates for gradeless education! She even links to relevant articles and research, including posts by @jessifer.bsky.social and @alfiekohn.bsky.social
#edusky #ungrading
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/o...
#edusky #ungrading
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/o...
April 26, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Letter to the editor in today's NY Times advocates for gradeless education! She even links to relevant articles and research, including posts by @jessifer.bsky.social and @alfiekohn.bsky.social
#edusky #ungrading
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/o...
#edusky #ungrading
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/o...
When 30% of students have accommodations requests, I think:
1) why are disability services units so underfunded?
2) can we make radical decisions to reimagine the pedagogy of our courses to meet the needs of all students?
3) what funding can we advocate for to support faculty development efforts?
1) why are disability services units so underfunded?
2) can we make radical decisions to reimagine the pedagogy of our courses to meet the needs of all students?
3) what funding can we advocate for to support faculty development efforts?
April 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
When 30% of students have accommodations requests, I think:
1) why are disability services units so underfunded?
2) can we make radical decisions to reimagine the pedagogy of our courses to meet the needs of all students?
3) what funding can we advocate for to support faculty development efforts?
1) why are disability services units so underfunded?
2) can we make radical decisions to reimagine the pedagogy of our courses to meet the needs of all students?
3) what funding can we advocate for to support faculty development efforts?
Super excited to be a part of this collection. Lots of amazing folks and perspectives represented. Thanks to @lisawj.bsky.social and @jennblaylock.bsky.social and many many others who contributed! (My own piece comes out soon in part two.) #ungrading
Check out this dossier of reflections on #ungrading from a range of Film & Media Studies faculty (including me) - thanks to @jennblaylock.bsky.social for co-editing!
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
March 29, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Super excited to be a part of this collection. Lots of amazing folks and perspectives represented. Thanks to @lisawj.bsky.social and @jennblaylock.bsky.social and many many others who contributed! (My own piece comes out soon in part two.) #ungrading
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
I am happy to announce the publication of the first part of a 2-part @jcmsjournal.bsky.social Teaching Media dossier on #ungrading that @lisawj.bsky.social and I co-edited. Please check out "Part I: Critical Reflections on Ungrading" here: quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach... Part two coming soon!
Journal of Cinema and Media Studies - TeachingmediaFind us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram
quod.lib.umich.edu
March 28, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I am happy to announce the publication of the first part of a 2-part @jcmsjournal.bsky.social Teaching Media dossier on #ungrading that @lisawj.bsky.social and I co-edited. Please check out "Part I: Critical Reflections on Ungrading" here: quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach... Part two coming soon!
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
Check out this dossier of reflections on #ungrading from a range of Film & Media Studies faculty (including me) - thanks to @jennblaylock.bsky.social for co-editing!
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
March 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Check out this dossier of reflections on #ungrading from a range of Film & Media Studies faculty (including me) - thanks to @jennblaylock.bsky.social for co-editing!
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jcms/teach...
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
The wonderful @jennblaylock.bsky.social and I co-edited a 2-part Teaching Media Dossier for @jcmsjournal.bsky.social on #ungrading. "Part I: Critical Reflections on Ungrading" is now live, and we couldn't be prouder. Huge thanks to our contributors and editors! Look out for Part II soon! #teaching
Journal of Cinema and Media Studies - TeachingmediaFind us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram
quod.lib.umich.edu
March 28, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The wonderful @jennblaylock.bsky.social and I co-edited a 2-part Teaching Media Dossier for @jcmsjournal.bsky.social on #ungrading. "Part I: Critical Reflections on Ungrading" is now live, and we couldn't be prouder. Huge thanks to our contributors and editors! Look out for Part II soon! #teaching
Reposted by Jesse Stommel (Jessifer)
Academia's culture of competition breeds this kind of cruelty. Too often, faculty who've suffered in these systems believe that suffering is what made them successful. So, they perpetuate that suffering with their own students, rather than seeing that success doesn't have to be wrought that way.
If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer as you did because
"you turned out fine," you did not in fact turn out fine.
"you turned out fine," you did not in fact turn out fine.
March 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Academia's culture of competition breeds this kind of cruelty. Too often, faculty who've suffered in these systems believe that suffering is what made them successful. So, they perpetuate that suffering with their own students, rather than seeing that success doesn't have to be wrought that way.
Do not obey in advance.
Regulation By Intimidation: OCR's Title VI Dear Colleague Letter
In a move that appears motivated more by intimidation than actual enforcement power, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague Letter late in the evening on Fri...
educationcivilrights.com
February 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Do not obey in advance.
Looking forward to being back in Vancouver for Digital Pedagogy Lab next week.
I’m co-teaching about alternative assessment with the inimitable Martha Burtis.
bccampus.ca/event/digita...
I’m co-teaching about alternative assessment with the inimitable Martha Burtis.
bccampus.ca/event/digita...
Digital Pedagogy Lab 2025 (2025-02-18)
Are you ready to push the boundaries of teaching with technology?
The Digital Pedagogy Lab is more than just another educational conference. It’s a dynamic, cohort-based community of practi...
bccampus.ca
February 13, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Looking forward to being back in Vancouver for Digital Pedagogy Lab next week.
I’m co-teaching about alternative assessment with the inimitable Martha Burtis.
bccampus.ca/event/digita...
I’m co-teaching about alternative assessment with the inimitable Martha Burtis.
bccampus.ca/event/digita...
On Wall-E: It knows we're watching it now, 17 years later. It winks at our nostalgia.
The movie knew it would become a relic of the past about the future.
The cynicism and hopefulness remain intact. It still asks us to listen, even if we didn't the first time.
The movie knew it would become a relic of the past about the future.
The cynicism and hopefulness remain intact. It still asks us to listen, even if we didn't the first time.
wall e from the movie wall e is standing on a rocky surface
ALT: wall e from the movie wall e is standing on a rocky surface
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2025 at 1:19 AM
On Wall-E: It knows we're watching it now, 17 years later. It winks at our nostalgia.
The movie knew it would become a relic of the past about the future.
The cynicism and hopefulness remain intact. It still asks us to listen, even if we didn't the first time.
The movie knew it would become a relic of the past about the future.
The cynicism and hopefulness remain intact. It still asks us to listen, even if we didn't the first time.
"It's not every day that you find out you're responsible for three billion deaths." ~ Sarah Connor
Google ending AI arms ban incredibly concerning, campaigners say
The tech giant previously ruled out applications that were "likely to cause harm".
www.bbc.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:48 AM
"It's not every day that you find out you're responsible for three billion deaths." ~ Sarah Connor