For this final task, I decided to research performance grades. This topic is meaningful to me personally as someone who’s always worried too much about grades. Inspired by the course readings, I decided to use this opportunity to research grades as technology – What information do they really carry about a student? Who needs this information? Are grades even good for students? How about teachers? Are there alternative options?

In terms of the form or representation, I chose to create a video to move away from the more habitual written form, and leverage the affordances of a documentary to showcase some of the concept maps and charts I created while doing the research.

Did you grow up in a family where you were praised for bringing As or maybe a numeric equivalent grade? Did you and your family members get stressed and upset if you got a C or a D? I know I did. In fact, I finished school with honours without really learning much. One thing I did learn really well though was how to get a good grade. Am I completely over that addiction to grades now, 20 years later? Unfortunately no. This documentary is my personal attempt to get a bigger picture and get myself out of this grade addiction.