ERIC Number: EJ1417160
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0892-3647
EISSN: EISSN-1538-9286
Available Date: N/A
Anonymity and Grading Fairness in Online Education
American Journal of Distance Education, v38 n1 p24-37 2024
The online classroom introduces a sense of anonymity unlike that in the physical classroom. In some ways, online education seems as if it could be more equitable or even free from racism because physical characteristics are mostly absent from which racialized judgments are made. However, students' feelings about how technology afforded anonymity do not always indicate online education is free of identity bias or racialization. This mixed-methods study investigates students' feelings (n = 174) about fair grading practices and anonymity in undergraduate online classes. Findings suggest that online students perceive anonymity, and their identities factor into grading, in both positive and negative ways. Rubrics and clear expectations can help alleviate concern over unfair grading practices. Institutions intent on offering online instruction should not rely on students' perceptions of anonymity to create equitable learning environments.
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Grading, Student Attitudes, Identification, Access to Information, Barriers, Equal Education, Justice, Self Concept, Bias, Racial Attitudes, Scoring Rubrics, Teacher Expectations of Students, Undergraduate Students, Student Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A