Educational Assessment Methods

Why do teachers focus on ‘scoring’ topics?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

If the assignment projects with copied and pasted content are awarded more marks,

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In this present world of technological development, Internet is a boon for all the students who are given assignments to complete or do a secondary research. Internet provides such students with all the relevant information on their fingertips. But most of the students just surf the net and easily copy and paste information directly into their paper and claim it as their own. Is this not cheating? To use the ideas, content of others without giving due attribution is considered illegal.
Students are pressurised to do well in their assignments and projects. But when they make honest effort, it is not appreciated. On the other hand, those who have copied and pasted from internet would be appreciated and awarded more marks. Instead of testing their ability to write, one's ability to search best article and paste it in their assignments would be tested. Even in exams, students are encouraged to learn by rote and write the answers as they occur in text book or in notes given by teacher.
A child would grow up copying and pasting and in later stages face difficulties when given individual projects to be handled in this competitive world. He/she would be unable to come up with innovative ideas. Creativity of the student would be curbed.