When it comes to testing I have
rather firm beliefs that all intelligences should be tested not just the traditional
subjects, but on the multiple intelligences people are said to obtain. Gardener
suggested in the text reading “linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical,
spatial, movement, social understanding, and self-understanding are each
associated with different brain regions” (Berger K.S., 2016). These are the
concepts testing should be center around not just reading and math. People are all different their interests and
what they choose to retain on all of their experiences as well as exposure to
the given material.
When It comes to testing I do
believe it can be an important tool as to see how a person retains the
information and what they know, however I do not believe the teachers nor child
should be penalized by test scores that are not of the standard because not all
kids are standard. We must look at the socioeconomics of the children, the
framework in the house holds as well as the school and the dynamics of the
classrooms. All of this should be taken into consideration when we evaluate
children not just how well they are able to take an exam.
Last year my husband was in South
Korea living and working on Osan Air Force Base while he was there he was able
to explore and learn about the culture around him. One of the common topics we
discussed about the culture was the schooling and the importance everyone
placed on academics. There would be area wide testing days done by the local
children and on those days the base was not allowed to fly the jets unless it
was for unforeseen issues that would arise. This was done to allow the children
to be able to focus and not have any disruptions as they took their exams. This
is an exert of what a normal high schooler would do in a day
“A
typical day finds high schoolers studying before school begins at about 8:00
A.M. Classes run for 50 minutes each, with a morning break and a 50-minute
lunch period. The afternoon session resumes at about 1:00 P.M., and classes
continue until about 4:00 or 4:30, followed by the cleaning of the classroom.
Students may then take a short dinner break at home, or they may eat at school.
Teachers typically move from room to room, while students stay in one place.” (2016)
This layout of this day seems as
though it is relaxed allowing for breaks in the day. The movement of the
teachers not the students was also a unique idea. I know I focus better in some
areas compared to others this would allow for students to remain focused
instead of the hustle and bustle into new environments. “A study done by an
education firm Pearson, with Economist Intelligence Unit, it was found that
South Korea has the second best education system in the world only second to
Finland” (2013). While researching and reading as well as hearing the first-hand
experience of my husband I can see how the South Korean children are so
successful with academics everyone in the community maintains the common goal
of the importance of academics and the knowledge gained.
Center for Global Education. (2016). South Korean Education. http://asiasociety.org/global-cities-education-network/south-korean-education
Nick Clark. June 2013. Education
in South Korea. World Education News and Reviews. http://wenr.wes.org/2013/06/wenr-june-2013-an-overview-of-education-in-south-korea
Berger, K. S. (2016). The developing person through
childhood (7th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI do agree that testing only gives you one aspect of assessing a child and there needs to be other ways and in different areas of assessing a child. I found your info on South Korean academics and testing very interesting. I would not thin that the students would do better staying in one classroom all day. I know I would have had a hard time without movement in my day but do agree that the familiar surrounding would help me to focus. Great job!
Debbie
Debbie,
DeleteI am torn on the idea of being in one place to learn all day. The article discussed social times and breaks in the day, but I can relate on having a certainplace I enjoy to work.
I agree with the fact that children are not all cut from the same cloth. My son for instance. The school's thought he might need special education because he was cutting school and not completing homework. The fact of the matter was was that he was to smart for the schools. I withdrew him from school when he was 15, he took his GED then went straight to college and is now doing great. I really don't feel we can compare our school systems to other countries schools. I've know to many people who have come from other countries with a degree in hand, be it High School or College, and those degree aren't accepted here. Their schools did not teach them what our schools insist on. It's very sad but it is a fact that I've seen to many times. I had co-workers from Australia and England and they both had to take additional classes in order to complete their degrees to the US standards.
ReplyDeleteHeather, that is a problem kids act out when their bored and not challanged properly. I am glad that you were able to help your son excel when others thought there is issues that could have held himback.
DeleteStephanie, although I am not a big supporter of testing, I do agree that we should just areas other than reading and math. More and more we are seeing that teachers in particular are being penalized because of students test scores. I have heard of a few teachers who have chosen to retire or just quit teaching because of testing. In my opinion, there is too much pressure being put on both the students and the teachers to achieve high scores!
ReplyDeleteBrittna, testing is such an issue it is necessary,but I think that the weight should be lifted some off of the shoulders of the children and the teachers to test high and get back to learning.
DeleteStephanie, I agree that children should not be penalized due to testing standards.Every child learns different. Testing should be based off individual needs and what they should work to in the future.
ReplyDeleteJuanicia, yes each person is different and what they know and retain should be taken account for when scores are developed.
DeleteHi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea to test the children and see where they are at academically, socially, and emotionally. Then on the other hand, taking tests stress out both the child and the teacher. It's stressful because that teacher know that that the child has to have a certain score to reach. Nice post.
Marketa, yes the stress is too much for some children and teachers to handle and they may not excel like they would if they were able to test in different fashions.
DeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post you had a lot of great information. I agree 100 percent about how other factors should be involved than just how well a child does on a test. Thank you so much for the information about South Korea! I hope soon we realize just how important other factors are in a child's development beside a test score.
Kevin, yes children are far more than a number and so are the educators who teach and guide them.
DeleteHi Stephanie
ReplyDeleteYour post was enlightening. You were right on target about factors that should be considered when testing intelligences. Do you lthink its necessary to test or can you give a choice as to whether or not someone should be tested? Anyway the piece about South Korea was quite interesting I intend on researching on it a little further. But at least youve given me a start. Great job!
Loren, yes I belive testing should be done to see what is being learned and retained, however i do not believe it should be such a focus in the classroom.
DeleteStephanie, I agree with you that children should not be penalized for not performing well on tests. Other aspects of the child's education should be brought into consideration. It may be that children have a hard time with test but if they are excelling in the classroom and doing well they should be able to progress.
ReplyDeleteTonya, yes absolutely couldn't agree more.
Delete