Entry Slip - Assessment

Reading this article made me wonder what was my own perspective on assessment. The topic was already familiar to me, because I have worked on this subject for other course of the program. Moreover, reading what were the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation made me realize again the role that we have as teachers when assessing students.

Personally, I do not think that grades work as a good indicator of their knowledge. They are extrinsic motivators that creates an atmosphere of stress among students, and they also arise a feeling of competition. The expectations that they have towards an evaluation may vary, but using grades as rewards or punishments do not contribute to their learning. This paper touches on the idea that extrinsic motivator decreases a growth mindset, because it does not allow them to freely decide what are their interests in that particular subject.

As a future educator, I believe that we will have to adapt to the standards of the secondary school we are working for. On the other hand, I think that we should consider finding other ways of assessment where students do not feel the stress to just get a "successful" grade. We should find the way of focusing on their learning and searching their own interests of the subjects. If we as a class (teacher and students) can find a method where they can apply the content and knowledge and at the same time enjoy what they are doing while being assessed, we would already be working on an alternative as a classroom.