Update 8:00 AM Jan 7, 2013 – The @StopSBG account is now active again. Change is reflected below.
Over the past 10 days, Twitter saw one of the most epic, twisting, and riveting arguments ever. It started with someone called @StopSBG [STRIKEOUT:(account is now suspended, so no link)] and Frank Noschese. Presumably, the account was run by a concerned parent opposed to their district’s decision to move to Standards Based Grading. When I first saw the exchange, this individual was writing about how much extra work teachers would have to do to report under SBG rather than a traditional grading scheme. Frank hopped in, being one of my favorite go-to persons for SBG matters, offering to help. Well, then, the Twitters exploded.
I’m not going to recount the entire debate. I did manage to grab an archive which is so convoluted and branched, that it’s practically unreadable right now. Maybe I’ll get to it and try to sort through it all someday. Over the course of 10 days or so, over 50 teachers, education researchers, and assessment professionals joined in the conversation.
As I watched, it really stood out to me that Twitter is probably the worst place to hold a rational debate. The character limit is hard to work around. Only being able to write in snippets dilutes points and counterpoints and also drives some really inventive shorthand which requires even more explanation. Because of the nature of the timeline, it’s hard to finish a point before someone jumps in and changes the direction.
I’m convinced that if this discussion had happened at a coffee shop, a public forum, Branch, or even a Google Hangout, it would have ended much more amicably. So what ended up happening? Supporters are still supporting SBG, opponents are still opposed. I don’t think any minds were changed, and again, the StopSBG account is mysteriously suspended. We looped and circled, ultimately, going nowhere with the original group.
There was some collateral damage, though.
@BMSscienceteach One good thing about StopSBG debate is all the cool teachers I've met! Great conversations!
—Raymond Baker (@RayBake) January 6, 2014
R&D on SBG has begun! Much thanks to @fnoschese 's discussion with @StopSBG for inspiration and motivation! #SBGchat pic.twitter.com/RrcghtNpqI
—Trevor Register (@TRegPhysics) January 5, 2014
The debate was engaging, and maybe that’s what we should take away from this experience. People who wouldn’t normally get pulled into philosophical discussions about grading practiced jumped in. Articles were shared. Experts weighed in. It seems like the people least involved in the debate were the ones who learnt the most. I think that’s the biggest shift for me: I started wanting StopSBG to realize that we were “right.” Having 18 hours or so to think about it since the “end” of the conversation has changed my mind. Sure, debates are fun, and this one definitely had its moments. The real power in this whole thing is the fact that it happened in an open space where anyone could watch and chime in.
So, what do we want to fight over next?
Major, major props to Frank, Jen Borgioli, David Knuffke, Rick Wormeli, and many, many others who remained rational, polite, and to the point with this discussion. I’m glad you are all willing to lead when reason flies out the window.