Although universally accepted, the traditional grading system is essentially flawed when it comes to actually accessing how well a student has performed on his/her tests. Even though this is a rather oversimplified manner of marking each student’s scores – but the variables that are additionally analyzed to make a final grade, may greatly impact the student’s overall performance. Dissertation help UK have often discussed how this uniform grading system may not apply to everyone – in fact, it might even hamper students from acknowledging their skills, which could be different from memory based tests. Some of the points discussed below, explain how the traditional grading system adversely impacts real learning.
By giving single letter grades on tests, it is rather difficult to judge what the shortcomings of the child are. Moreover, different teachers may access a test paper for different things. Hence, it is rather unfair to take all of these variables and simply provide a grade point for it. Some teachers may not share your perspective, while others may approve of it.
Most high scorers do well in class because they strictly conform to what the teachers are educating them. Attendance is given a higher weightage, since teachers expect students to thoroughly know the topics that they have been discussing in class. Hence, children face strict reprimand for skipping school. Moreover, students are not mostly encouraged to think outside the box. Most conventional teaching methods reward students for conformity than creativity.
Undoubtedly, with frequent tests and homework assigned to students on a daily basis, they tend to find shortcuts for juggling multiple things at once. In this stressful scenario, they tend to be more worried about getting things done on time, instead of actually investing in learning. Conventional teaching methods have made education a rat race instead of an opportunity to learn. Teachers are also persistent on dutifully giving out piles and piles of homework, instead of actually investing in providing proper concepts by making things interesting. Hence, students are more driven into cramming things than actually understanding them.
A student, who keeps scoring low in these traditional grading systems, is inevitably bound to believe that he is unworthy. In fact, students who do not score well in particular subjects are made to repeat classes or are discouraged from pursuing unconventional fields in most developing nations. This does not only decrease the room for talent in an institute, but it also instills in students a deep seeded idea of self-doubt and unworthiness that he/she will take into adulthood.
Moreover, traditional grading makes a cumulative score of a student based on their demeanor, their overall performance that includes homework and class assignments, their punctuality and their aptitude. Under-performing in any one area brings down the student’s overall grade. Although, primarily your education should be the set criteria for grading. The other aspects of a student’s school life should be taken into account merely to train him to become a better, responsible citizen.
Our education system has come a long way since it started; hence it is rather surprising that there are many setbacks that we need to overcome with the changing times.