Grades
Out of all the classes that i have thought I notice that students are intrested in their grades
To them it is an accomplishment and all so motivating. Students tend to see there strong points and their weak points so they can improve on it.
It appears to me that some students are better at test taking with or without your lecture on test taking skills. While others desire to have that skill it becomes discourging to see the other students excell with less effort in their eyes and when compared to the exstensive mesures one may take in order to make a passing grade. So some students may resort to more drastic measures in order to feel as successful as the other students.
Yes students are interested in their grades. That being said, some students, I find, are cheating their learning process by searching the internet for the test banks, complete with answers, that publishers provide instructors.
Granted the test banks, which provide the test questions, the answers to the questions and a rationale for the answer(s), can be a way of learning, or reinforcing learning, is earning a grade dishonestly.
It is a practice that I'm finding some students using on a regular basis.
Elizabeth,
Great points. I have found the 'just tell us what will be on the test' mindset has continued to increase. I agree, this really isn't learning.
Susan Backofen
It is motivating and distracting. Because we use tests as a way to evaluate learning, they believe the higher the grade, the more they must know. But, they only want to know what will be covered on the test. Are they knowledgable? If they were tested on content that was not on the test, would they know it?
Matthew,
This is an important point. Grades should reflect the student's understanding of the material. Making the exams easier doesn't help the student achieve their professional goals.
Susan Backofen
It has been my experience that students focus on high grades. The problem with this is that some schools make tests easier for the students. This could be in the form of fewer questions or questions that are easier to answer. I inform my students that the tests are there to let them know what they have not learned yet. It's an opportunity for the student to go back and learn what they may have thought that they learned. I've seen students at other schools make straight A's in the classroom and then fail a state exam. Grades are important but knowledge is more important.
Maryalice,
I can relate. The first test was always more anxiety producing for me. Each faculty member has their own way of measuring and tests can vary significantly from teacher to teacher. After the first one, you have a better feel for the expectations.
Susan Backofen
Students often are interested in their grades to determine if they understand the course or not. If they did not do as good as their peers that tends to affect their next grade
I've had comments from some students stating that they wanted to know their test results so they may begin to study for the next test. I was puzzled, I asked how can that help you? The response was, now I know that the way I studied for the last test and didn't make the highest grade, I know that I have to change my format of studying. In that respect I suppose it makes sense.
Most of my students are interested in getting their grades back and having a lower than expected grade can motivate them to achieve a higher grade on next assignment. Getting an "A" is always great motivation for most of my students.
It does seem to be a motivating point for them. However, If the students grade is not what they hoped for it can cause them to get dejected. When I present them with their grades (good or not so good) I always explain how to maintain or build upon it. This seems to help , it also gives them a goal to shoot for.
