Comments on: Learning Through Tests http://students2oh.org/2008/01/05/learning-through-tests/ The silent majority speaks up Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:17:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Christine http://students2oh.org/2008/01/05/learning-through-tests/#comment-484 Christine Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:11:48 +0000 http://students2oh.org/2008/01/05/learning-through-tests/#comment-484 I often find myself trying to help my peers understand a concept, but the barrier between learning and understanding often gets in the way. To really grasp the subject, one must understand "Why" it is done this way rather then just "How". I think if a student, like myself, understands not only "How" to do something, but "What I am trying to accomplish" and "Why am I doing this". The learning process become much easier, resulting in better test grades and a better understanding of the subject. I think, if a student really understands the materials (i.e. How, Why, and What) then they will retain and understand much more than pure memorization. I often find myself trying to help my peers understand a concept, but the barrier between learning and understanding often gets in the way. To really grasp the subject, one must understand “Why” it is done this way rather then just “How”. I think if a student, like myself, understands not only “How” to do something, but “What I am trying to accomplish” and “Why am I doing this”. The learning process become much easier, resulting in better test grades and a better understanding of the subject. I think, if a student really understands the materials (i.e. How, Why, and What) then they will retain and understand much more than pure memorization. ]]> By: Henry http://students2oh.org/2008/01/05/learning-through-tests/#comment-446 Henry Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:49:55 +0000 http://students2oh.org/2008/01/05/learning-through-tests/#comment-446 As a student going through the last semester of Senior year, I can see a lot of the importance of actual learning being diminished due to tests being held as the most important thing in the curriculum. We seem to be bound more in a state of ''getting the grade, pass the class'' than actually learning from the class. However, some of my classes, such as a film class in which we carry discussion of a film on after watching said film, tends to produce what to me seems to be a more intelligent classroom: we can openly discuss visual metaphors and symbolism. Stuff of that vein. And it is not due to the class being an elective. Many kids who want an easy class with minimum work or thought input actively take part in conversation. As a student going through the last semester of Senior year, I can see a lot of the importance of actual learning being diminished due to tests being held as the most important thing in the curriculum. We seem to be bound more in a state of ”getting the grade, pass the class” than actually learning from the class.

However, some of my classes, such as a film class in which we carry discussion of a film on after watching said film, tends to produce what to me seems to be a more intelligent classroom: we can openly discuss visual metaphors and symbolism. Stuff of that vein. And it is not due to the class being an elective. Many kids who want an easy class with minimum work or thought input actively take part in conversation.

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