Forums → WEPR → Do Grades Prohibit Real Learning?

I cram for test a lot and end up doing bad on most of them. To take something my pre cal teacher said, grades make students focus on the letter instead of the material. And sometimes the grade doesn't say how smart the student is. Some people just stink at tests (like me) or have other things going on that impair their homeword time. Not to mention the copying of homework outside of school. And some teachers have different grading styles that might not fit how the student is comfortable learning. Overall, grades do prohibit true learning, not just temporary memorizing for a test.

I do the same thing. I think homework should be completely optional with no penalty for skipping it and replace it with very short daily quizzes to show understanding.

I think homework should be completely optional with no penalty for skipping it and replace it with very short daily quizzes to show understanding.

Well I don't like homework, but I believe it is necessary because you don't always have enough time to get through everything in class.

This i kind of interesting actually, because my school is preforming an experiment right now about something very similar to this. They're trying to see if students will still try even if there are no grades involved. They want to see if student integrity falls if there are no benefits to trying, other then wanting to learn. So the way it works is that every department has a set time period, where each class in the department has to pick a unit that will last 3-5 weeks to teach without...

1) Graded homework or assignments (there is optional homework)
2) Any material that will be used later in the year
3) Any graded tests that count (you will receive a grade, but the teacher won't record it in the grade book)

Basically, everything that happens in those weeks will not affect you at all in school. So far the only subject that we've had it in is chemistry, and I'm not really sure about any of the tests grades. Also, while the tests don't affect your grade, the teacher does record them so he or she can share their experiences with the unit with the administration.

Homework allows for practice during the time you're not in school, and for you to have more time to learn new things while you're in school. I dont like homework but I think it is necessary. And instead of cramming its a good idea to use notes and whatnot to make your own study guide. If you can kinda anticipate whats going to be on the test then you'll do better.
I think grades promote learning. At least they do for me, if I get bad grades I feel motivated to do better, and if I get good grades, I'm motivated to stay top of my class.

if I get bad grades I feel motivated to do better, and if I get good grades, I'm motivated to stay top of my class.

Well everyone is different. I was like that last year, but I had a lot of drama going on with my mom and when I moved out it was like everything imploded. I got back on track but it was hard as heck!

i hate grades, all that happens is i get screamed at and told that i will work at mcdonalds by my parents since you have to have the best grades in college, even though i'm way above most everyone in most my classes

Well to me it doesn't. I enjoy a few subjects and genuinely put in effort for them. Those that I am neutral about, I still put in effort to score.

Even if grades prohibit learning, how do you purport that one is measured in life? How does one somehow ''grade'' which student can go to Harvard without grades? Grades are still the most objective and universal way to rank students.

Even if grades prohibit learning, how do you purport that one is measured in life? How does one somehow ''grade'' which student can go to Harvard without grades? Grades are still the most objective and universal way to rank students.

but it's screwed up, i mean i can be smart yet still get all F's. hows the fairness in that?

but it's screwed up, i mean i can be smart yet still get all F's. hows the fairness in that?

I feel that the grade system is pretty good. If a student is bad at test taking (could someone please explain this to me?), than that student should talk to the teacher about alternative methods to getting points! Plus, without an evaluation system, how would higher education facilities know if you are a good student (which is partly your grade), or if you are a slacker who doesn't care if their report card has an "A" or an "F"

or if you are a slacker who doesn't care if their report card has an "A" or an "F"