Fair or Unfair?

Based on the picture, we can see that the test is treated as fair because all the animals are taking the same test. However, if we look from a different perspective, how can it be fair for other animals? The monkey will have a great advantage as its ability is to climb a tree. As for the fish, how can it possibly taking the test? 

Obviously, this is not FAIR. This situation is the exact reflection of our education system. 

Students are taking the same test and then their score are compared with each other and those with high scores are considered as good students. Teacher perception: "students with good score are those who understand the lesson well." 

If students managed to scored, it can be that the students really understand the lesson OR it is only because they managed to give the answer that they have memorized. We have to remember that students are different from each other. They have their own interest and ability. Some students are not interested to learn something that did not pique their interest and some just do not have the ability to perform well. This is possibly because they have their strengths in other things. 

Thus, some can do well and some do not.To judge them based on some test is unfair. Students’ real ability can’t be determined with some test. What they need is the opportunity to bring out their inner ability and strengths, other than doing some test after every lesson. 

Hence, students need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves properly before being judged as weak. Who knows someday they might succeed even without getting a high score in class.

Stop Standardized Test

From the video, it can be seen that there are various way to assess students’ comprehension and not limited to giving them a test. Test should be done by integrating hands-on activity and real-life situation instead of giving them a standardized test that does not really reflect the students’ development. Different way of assessing students learning process can bring a great change in students’ life. Students are too tired of being test with papers.

 Other than testing students with written test, teacher can give them a real-life task or project-based task. By assessing them through hands-on task or project-based assessment, they can really bring out the best in them. Project-based assessment will give teacher a clear focus on what to assess, which is the students performance and their performance will reflect what they understand from the learning process. Apart from that, it will also help the students. 

Students can learn how to utilize the knowledge they acquired. Project-based or hands-on task will give students some insights on what it will be like in the real life and what they will encounter in the future. This is, without a doubt, a better way of assessing students learning.

Traditional Assessment Vs Alternative Assessment

For teachers to shift from the familiar traditional assessment to alternative assessment is not going to be easy.  A great determination and commitment are needed. After I had read the Anderson’s article about traditional assessment and alternative assessment, I came to know that what I have been through during my school time is the traditional assessment where the focus is teaching to test. Teachers teach what is coming out in the exam and not teaching the knowledge that is needed. 

Assessments suppose to be conducted to assess students’ knowledge and not about finding out what they have memorized. Because of there are too many tests, students tend to memorize things that are coming out in the exam and not actually understand what they have learnt. The effect is that they forget the information as soon as the test or exam ended. This kind of assessment need to be put to an end as it does not benefit the students.

As for the alternative assessment, it can be a good start for our education system. Our exam-oriented students should be changed. Learning just for the sake of obtaining good grades in exams will not do any good for students, and teachers that give exam to check on students ‘memorization ability’ have to stop doing that. As what stated by Anderson in the article, test or assessment should be done to check on students ability or level in order for teacher to find out their weakness and help them to overcome it. Alternative assessment gives teachers a new point of view about test and exams. 

Test should not be a routine  that students do at the end of lesson it is actually a useful tool that can help students with their learning and teacher with their teaching.