Ways to assess students’ ability
Tsoi Oi-king(7B)
THERE is a heated
controversy about what type of assessment best measures students’ abilities.
Educationalists
and traditionalists have looked at the issue from different angles.
Traditional
teachers prefer to assess students by examination, while the educationalists
prefer to use a system of continuous assessment.
Though
examinations put a lot of pressure on students, exams are a systematic and
objective way to assess ability.
It guarantees
students get a fair assessment, as it is the same for all and test paper
marking schemes are fixed.
It clearly
shows the standard and ability of students’ study habits.
The results are
not only regarded as a criteria to enter university, but also serves to
demonstrate to businessmen and companies a degree of excellence.
Exams can
motivate students to study hard to obtain good results. If a student has
achieved a certain degree in university, he will probably be able to get a job
with a good salary.
The traditional
examination system has no place for the new education system, which is why
examinations have been a necessary evil.
There are
drawbacks. Passing examinations is a key to a successful career. Those who fail
have poorer job prospects. Students are forced to complete, putting extreme
pressure on them, leading, in extreme cases, to suicide.
These days many
students are shortsighted and speculative. They want to profit now and put
little importance in their studies. They look for the easy way, attending
classes at tutorial schools. Students lose their enthusiasm for knowledge and
only focus on exam results. They only study the main topics on which they
expect to be tested which is not what education is about.
Exams test the
ability to memorise and regurgitate. It diverts from students’ natural and
potential talent and exams fail to give the whole picture.
Educationalists
have discovered the flaws in the examination system. They favour the system of
continuous assessment to solve the limitations of traditional exams.
Continuous
assessment aims to assess the all-round performance of students, which includes
extracurricular activities and personality as well as academic results.
He chief
benefit of the system is that students can fully develop their talents and have
a well-rounded development allowing students to become educated in an enjoyable
and involving way.
The maximizes
their interest in study and the pursuit of knowledge. They can make use of
their time to find what they are interested in. This is the aim of education.
But there are
disadvantages to the continuous assessment. The main thing is that the system
is not fair and accurate enough. Different schools have different standards; so
the results of assessment may not be objective and teachers may have their
biases. Because of that, it is just not suitable as a criteria to university
admission.
Also, this
system only benefits the hardworking students. Lazy ones do no have the
motivation, so they don’t get very far.
The traditional
examination system is a better as I can guarantee students certain level of
educational standard.
If students work hard and are interested in their studies the drawbacks of traditional exams is not worrying. No matter what kind of assessment is used, all students can be successful if they are willing to work hard.
Student Standard
28th March 2000