Will Richardson challenges the traditional model of education in his book, "Why School?" He discusses how assessments, handing out grades like in the traditional model, often impedes students' learning. Students can easily become unfocused on learning the material and focus only on obtaining a letter grade on a report card. Shouldn't we as educators be more concerned about whether or not students are learning as opposed to just doing what is necessary to get a certain score. Students in school today have learned how to memorize information, cram for a test, and then release all that information later. However, students have not demonstrated mastery of a subject that extends beyond the walls of a classroom.
Moving forward educators must challenge the traditional model of education by becoming less grade-centered and more learning-centered. Learning is not exciting when it is only focused on regurgitating information. If we want to get students truly engaged in learning we must take away the incentive to only get a certain letter on a report card. By doing away with such a model students will be able to focus on learning information that will have a permanent effect.
Moving forward educators must challenge the traditional model of education by becoming less grade-centered and more learning-centered. Learning is not exciting when it is only focused on regurgitating information. If we want to get students truly engaged in learning we must take away the incentive to only get a certain letter on a report card. By doing away with such a model students will be able to focus on learning information that will have a permanent effect.