Lots to think about, and I mostly agree. Having taught at international schools around the world, I can say that a lot of what you wrote applies there too. The biggest difference is that with just one high stakes test (a leaving exam), and no GPA to worry about, students and teachers are willing to take a lot more risks in the name of learning and not grades. I'm trying to move my students in that direction just by slowly decreasing their dependence on grades as signs of mastery. Oh, and btw, you have a typo at the end of the penultimate paragraph. I'd want someone to tell me😉
That's interesting! Not surprised it's not too different at international schools since they largely follow the Western model. Have you seen a successful deviation from the model anywhere?
A typo? Just one? Please. I found like 4 after I pressed "publish." But thanks for the heads up. :)
“Credit accumulation based on seat time.” I’ve never heard it framed that way but for older students especially it makes sense to give credit for achievement, not presence, and it’s related to the Problematic way so many math teachers grade/discourage their students. We’re going to take the entire semester or year into account when we give you a grade, and penalize you even if you get an A+ on the final. Nonsense! https://www.quora.com/What-makes-kids-give-up-on-math/answer/Thomas-Donahue-5?ch=17&oid=21766828&share=1a831efe&srid=SZ3H&target_type=answer
Lots to think about, and I mostly agree. Having taught at international schools around the world, I can say that a lot of what you wrote applies there too. The biggest difference is that with just one high stakes test (a leaving exam), and no GPA to worry about, students and teachers are willing to take a lot more risks in the name of learning and not grades. I'm trying to move my students in that direction just by slowly decreasing their dependence on grades as signs of mastery. Oh, and btw, you have a typo at the end of the penultimate paragraph. I'd want someone to tell me😉
That's interesting! Not surprised it's not too different at international schools since they largely follow the Western model. Have you seen a successful deviation from the model anywhere?
A typo? Just one? Please. I found like 4 after I pressed "publish." But thanks for the heads up. :)
“Credit accumulation based on seat time.” I’ve never heard it framed that way but for older students especially it makes sense to give credit for achievement, not presence, and it’s related to the Problematic way so many math teachers grade/discourage their students. We’re going to take the entire semester or year into account when we give you a grade, and penalize you even if you get an A+ on the final. Nonsense! https://www.quora.com/What-makes-kids-give-up-on-math/answer/Thomas-Donahue-5?ch=17&oid=21766828&share=1a831efe&srid=SZ3H&target_type=answer
Could not agree more, Math Teacher. Thanks for the read and the comment. Any idea how to change that?