Grades Prevent Education

From the moment a child enters kindergarten, he is told that if he performs well, he will receive a gold star. The school system keeps on giving “gold stars” all through grade school, high school, college, but the gold stars become grades. Ironically, grades destroy children’s innate love of learning, which is the very opposite of what they’re supposed to do. By giving grades, adults communicate to children that since they must get a bribe for learning, it must be something that they don’t want to do. Although this love of learning is natural to all children, it takes only a year or two for the grading system to be drilled into a child’s mind. It is embedded in students’ minds, from the time they are children that the goal of learning is to gain a good grade, not to learn. Education should be a way of exploring what a person feels about the things he sees and experiences, so that he can form ideas about what he believes. The purpose of education is to teach students to think for themselves, not so they can earn a good grade, but so that they can understand, discuss with, and love others better. Giving grades in school completely prevents true education. With a system of education that is so strongly set in our society, many people assume that grading is the best or only option available today. The two most common questions people have about reforming this system are, firstly, why are grades unnecessary and detrimental to students’ motivation and, secondly, what would a reformed system look like, and more specifically, how would teachers track students’ progress and how would colleges conduct admissions.

Are gold stars necessary? Can students be motivated to learn without the promise of a reward? In Tom Sawyer, Tom tricks the other children into doing his chores for him by making them believe that the chore is an honor and demanding payment for doing it. The children assume that if they must pay to do it, it must be what they want to do. This concept goes the other direction, too. If a person is being paid for doing something, then he doesn’t want to do it. If we must give a student a reward—a grade—they must be doing something they wouldn’t without the reward. This discussion is one of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Simon A. Lei describes these two temperaments as follows, “Intrinsically motivated individuals have been able to develop high regards for learning various types of course information without the inclusion of external rewards of reinforcements. In contrast, extrinsically motivated individuals rely solely on rewards and desirable results to act as a catalyst for their motivation” (153). In his essay, Lei maintains that intrinsically motivated students work on academic tasks because they enjoy them, and not explicitly because of a promised reward, but that extrinsically motivated students will often not complete an academic task, regardless of their competency, if there are no incentives present (154). Many experiments have been performed to explore the differences between these two motivations. One of these experiments, done by Susan Harter, tested the hypothesis that children receive the most pleasure from optimally challenging tasks by giving a group of sixth graders were given four difficulty problems of differing complexity. Half of the group was instructed that the task was a school assignment which would receive a letter grade and half or the group was instructed that the task was a game. The children who viewed the task as a game chose and showed a preference for optimally challenging problem. On the other hand, the group who viewed the task as an academic assignment chose significantly easier problems. These children respond below their optimal level, and also exhibited less pleasure and verbalized more anxiety. Harter states that the findings within the study can be interpreted within the cognitive-evaluation theory, which argues that extrinsic rewards can negatively affect intrinsic motivation by decreasing a student’s sense of self-determination and competence (788). Clearly, grades are not only unnecessary for motivating students, but detrimental to students’ educations.

If grades were not given out in school, how would teachers track the progress of their students? In schools today, grades are the scale which students are measured by. Without grades, determining if a student should continue on to the next course would become a more difficult matter and would put much more pressure on teachers to know their students, their students’ work, and their students’ progress in the class. Many concerns would arise such as would a student pass a class only if they had a theoretically ‘A’ involvement in the class and wouldn’t every teacher regard a persons’ work differently? With much concern, people argue that students who were completely unqualified to pass courses could be passing left and right. Let us consider two things, however. First, with our present grading system, there are multitudes of unqualified students passing courses, which either have not effectively tested their mastery of a subject or have allowed them to cheat the system in many ways. Illustrating this point to perfection, hundreds of high school students enter college composition classes every year without the basic knowledge of how to use commas correctly, regardless of the fact that they have taken twelve years of English and grammar courses. The second essential consideration is to ask why a student should be allowed to pass a course with anything less than an ‘A’ grade or complete mastery of the skill.

If the student has not accomplished the course work to the teacher’s satisfaction—if a student can further improve, why should they continue? The point of education is not ability compared to others, but mastery of a skill. There are ways for teachers to keep track of their students other than grades. These ways are much more time-consuming and more complicated, yet altogether more effective. Demanding much greater commitment from teachers, marking progress without grades would consist of teachers knowing their students personally, letting go of control over grading students’ performance, and spending time giving constructive criticism in the form of notes or a conference on how a student is doing. Necessarily, is would demand that students care about the subjects they are learning—not care about the grade they would be receiving, but the knowledge they take in. This reformed system would mean a reconstruction of the school system from kindergarten forward. The truth is that true education is not easy because it necessitates the care and commitment of all involved.

If grades were not distributed, there would be a completely different system for college admissions. The system could conceivably consist of three different things. First off, it would consist of an extremely detailed portfolio of essays written by various teachers commenting on the particular student’s abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, which would resemble a letter of recommendation, except far more honest and revealing. The student would also write an essay about himself and his educational experience explaining such things as what subjects were most important to him and why he wants to attend college. The third section of the college admission would be an interview between a college representative and the student that would give time for any remaining questions the college might have for the student and allow the college to get a feel for the kind of person they’re admitting. Alfie Kohn elaborates on grades by explaining that “Contrary to popular belief, however, admissions officers at the best universities are not eighty-year-old fuddy-duddies, peering over their spectacles and muttering about “highly irregular” applications.” He elaborates that often these people are just a few years out of college themselves, and, after hundreds of identical applications from average good students, they’re refreshed to look at something unconventional (110). Today, the most renowned schools, including Harvard and Yale, applications demand not only a high ACT or SAT score, but also a testimony from two teachers and an essay written by the student. These colleges know that a grade point average is not enough. Harvard’s admissions page states:

Applicants can distinguish themselves for admission in a number of ways. Some show unusual academic promise through experience or achievements in study or research. Many are “well rounded” and have contributed in various ways to the lives of their schools or communities. Others are “well lopsided” with demonstrated excellence in a particular endeavor—academic extracurricular or otherwise. Still others bring perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances or experiences. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but we also seek people with enthusiasm, creativity and strength of character. Most admitted students rank in the top 10–15 percent of their graduating classes, having taken the most rigorous secondary school curriculum available to them (“Applying to Harvard”).

Certain students today do have “highly irregular” applications, most specifically homeschooled students. Commenting on this phenomenon, Kohn says, “Given that the most selective colleges have been known to accept home-schooled children who have applicants would be rejected if, instead of the usual transcript, their schools sent along several thoughtful qualitative assessments from some of the students’ teachers, together with a form letter explaining cultivate intrinsic motivation rather than a performance orientation. Indeed, admission officers for two of the country’s most prestigious universities confirm that they do receive, and seriously consider, applications that contain no grades” (110). This individual reformed and grade-detox system for college admissions would succeed in determining the brilliant students suited to each school.

In schools across the nation today, grades are thwarting true education, which has been diminished to a counterfeit puppet show of true education. Contrary to widespread belief, education does not depend on grades. Students can be motivated without grades, teachers can track progress without grades, and colleges can accept applicants without grades. So why do grades still exist? Because, ridding the education system of grades would not be a systematic piece-meal restructuring, but a radical reformation in which everything that people take for granted in schools—grades, extra credit, pop quizzes—all of these which contradict education, would be banished in one fell swoop. It would utterly change the mindset of students and professors, by creating an environment that encourages a love of learning and exploring, rather than a system that promotes performing and accomplishing the minimum. This reformation would change this country’s culture more than almost any other decision possible, and that is a terrifying though. Change is always terrifying, especially when the change calls for exchange of easily followed rules for more ephemeral and subjective methods, as is the case with the exchange of grades for specific feedback and intrinsic motivation. Yet this change would benefit the school system incomparably. Most importantly, without grades students would learn to think for themselves, would learn to learn for the sake of learning, and would learn to become self-motivated people, who are determined to discover the world around them for themselves. Grades keep students in chains, but with reform they can be free.

Works Cited
“Applying to Harvard.” Harvard.edu. Harvard College. Web. 7 Nov. 2011.

Boggiano, Ann K., and Diane N. Ruble.
“Competence and the Over Justification Effect: A Developmental Study.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 37.9 (1979): 1462-1468. PsycARTICLES. EBSCO. Web 16 Oct. 2011.

Harter, Susan. “Pleasure Derived from Challenge and the Effects of Receiving Grades on Children’s Difficulty Level Choices.” Child Development 49 (1978): 788-799. EBSCO MegaFILE. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.

Kohn, Alfie. Punished by Rewards. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Print.

Lei, Simon A. “Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: Evaluation Benefits and Drawbacks from College Instructors’ Perspectives.” Journal of Instructional Psychology 37.2 (2010): 153-160. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 16 Oct. 2011.

Connecting with Social Networks

Arriving home from work or school, millions of people around the world head straight to their computers to check their MySpace. In the modern world, social networks such as MySpace and Facebook are becoming the most seen icons everywhere, from computers to billboards. Quickly stopping by their computer to check messages, post statuses , or even to browse the internet, this generation uses social networks constantly. Social networks are on the rise. As they grow steadily however, some people, who look down on them, say that they are a waste of time and should be shut down and forgotten because sometimes it is used as a stand-in for real life. Its main uses seem to be connecting with people, expressing one’s self, and communicating with others. Are these pros or cons?

How do social networks help connect people with others? On these social networks, some people are often more outgoing then they are face to face, which can be a good and bad thing. Finding old friends and acquaintances, people often use MySpace and Facebook to reconnect with people they once knew or still know. Since people are so busy things like Facebook are good ways to jot down a quick note like, I miss you, if you don’t have the time to talk on the phone or hang out. Unfortunately some people constantly pester and stalk those who would rather not talk to them. One thing to be wary of is, when on Facebook or MySpace, never accept friend requests from people you don’t know, because there are so many real social network stalkers out there. As Barbara J. Feldman puts it, “MySpace has a wide variety of users; this increases the chance of meeting distasteful people.” Always be on your guard. Choose who you would like to connect with on these sites.

Used often as an outlet to express one’s self, social networks abound with art, emotions, poetry, music, and literature. This digital expression of a person can often be highly annoying when people, who want the whole world to know how they feel, have emotional breakdowns. One thing that relates to self-expression is impression management, which is where people try to impress other people by their friendship choices, only displaying things that they think others will see as cool, or even posting crude or inappropriate things to seem tough (Boyd). Although these things are true, as Connie Neal says in in her book MySpace for Moms and Dads something that applies to both teens and adults:

"MySpace gives teens a place to showcase their talents and share their “artistry” with the world. Musicians can share their music in amazing ways! Even if Mom and Dad don’t appreciate their particular taste in music, there’s sure to be a group at MySpace music that understands and appreciates their genre of music. A budding musician gets quite a thrill to find out that people are hearing their music" (Neal, p. 99).

On Facebook and MySpace, people can usually find and relate to common interests with other people easily, while they can also read peoples’ writings and ideas that they would never have known existed if it hadn’t been for their page.

Commonly used to communicate, Facebook sends millions of information relaying messages every day. Complaining that needed information does not always get replied to fast enough, some people are against this form of communication because of either its reliability or because written messages can be misread and misunderstood. As Facebook and MySpace grow though, more and more people, who use it for jobs, clubs, youth groups, and social gatherings, are using it as their primary form of communication. It is simple and reliable and free. On these messages you can quickly double check information, whereas you might forget the details of a phone conversation. Also if you want to write a simple note to someone for fun, or encouragement, it is easy to write on their social network in a matter of seconds.

Despite its uses in connecting, expressing, and communicating, people are still protesting against social networks. It’s not the network that’s bad; it’s how you use it. When it comes to the issue of people stalking or chatting with you when you don’t want, you can choose to delete or ban them from your friendship, and therefore block them from seeing your page. Excepting the emotional breakdowns and tantrums on Facebook, you can discover an abundance of poetry and art in what people have to say. Also, the easy communication system on social networks is a fantastic reason to use them. In the modern world, things like Facebook, which is relevant and convenient to our day and age, can be put on cell phones so you can receive and send information any time. Just as there are negative aspects to any form of communication—even the telephone—the positive aspects of social networks help us connect and get to know each other better in our busy culture.

Bibliography

Boyd, Dana M. and Nicole B. Ellison, “Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship.” 2007. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), article 11.29 Apr. 2011. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html

Feldman, Barbara J. “Pros and Cons of MySpace and Facebook.” Surfing The Net With Kids. 29 Apr. 2011. http://www.surfnetkids.com/go/safety/167/pros-and-cons-of-myspace-and-facebook/

Neal, Connie, MySpace for Moms and Dads, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2007.

Standing the Test

There’s word on the street of a novel gizmo that is making bookworms everywhere draw their noses from the pages—the electronic book better known as the e-book or e-reader. Casually, some say that this is simply a passing trend, a five-minute-fad, while others believe that it could indelibly change the world of reading. What is this new curiosity? The e-reader is a portable electronic device used for reading digital books, which comes by a few different names, most popularly the Kindle and the Nook. Although some devoted bookies feel as though they are rejecting their dear old paper-bound friends when they choose to buy an e-reader, there are certain advantages to the new items. Noting the distinctive characteristics of both a book and the e-reader, such as ease, environment, and cost, only time will tell which of the two will win out in the end.

The e-reader surely is a convenient device. Instead of needing an entire bookshelf to store your books, the e-reader provides unlimited storage for stories. Hundreds of books contained in a tiny screen. Only eight and a half ounces and six inches long, the e-reader is extremely conducive for portability, easy to be thrown in a purse or backpack. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, the ease of being able to buy and receive a digital book with only a few clicks of a button and in only twenty seconds is certainly desirable. Using the special tools and settings such as the dictionary, passage finder, and highlighting functions, the e-reader is remarkably simple to navigate. Although the e-reader is wonderful for storage, portability, and ease, there is the drawback of not being able to lend your favorite books to your friends and family, which is possible with a paper book. Also, only one person at a time can use an e-reader, even though it can hold hundreds of books at a time. Undoubtedly, the e-reader is fascinating device with very neat advantages.

How green is your reading? Economically, the contrast between paper books and e-readers is decided; however, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. With the e-reader, the environmental advantages are obvious—the saving of many trees that would otherwise be made into paper, but the disadvantages of the techy book are more complicated. In the technical world, there’s something called a carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is perplexing, but basically, “Every time you use energy that comes from fossil fuels, you create CO2 and make your carbon footprint bigger. Think of CO2 as energy waste. It’s what’s left over after you use fossil fuels. You create carbon dioxide every day”(Deiterich). The carbon footprint can be thought of as the measurement of how “green” an item is. Because paper books can be lent and borrowed through libraries and friends, the carbon footprint can be reduced considerably. Surely, the best choice is expressed in the amount of books a reader consumes. The Sierra Club Green concluded – as did a recent New York Times piece on the same subject:

Unless you’re a fast and furious reader, the energy required to manufacture and then dispose of an e-reader is probably greater than what’s needed to make a traditional book. If you’re reading forty or more books per year on your e-reader, that would be the right choice. But if you use it only occasionally, probably better to stick to a “regular” book.

The proof is in the reading.

Definitely the deciding factor for most readers is the cost of this techy little book. Is the cost worth the flashy doodads and neat quirks? For the average e-reader itself, the cost is $160—which is a considerable chunk of change. With this money, it would be possible to buy thirteen books. After buying the e-reader itself, you must purchase the books that you wish to read, which are no cheaper than the price of the same paper book. While you can lend and borrow books for free from friends or public libraries—which have an enormous selection of books—an e-reader can only be used by the person who owns it. Paying the same amount for your digital book, you lose a great advantage of lending and borrowing. To have all of your books stored in one very small thin fragile casing is not only costly, but risky. It would be easy to accidentally drop or spill a cup of grape juice on it. When a book is ruined, it is usually simple to go and buy another copy for a mere $15, but if an e-reader is wrecked, not many people would be willing to skip out and buy another for $160. As the Sierra Club Green views the matter, “Here’s the best answer: go to the public library next time you are downtown. Borrow three or four books, finish them all, then return ‘em next time you’re near the library. This is truly the most sustainable way to read: the good old fashioned public library”(Sierra Green Club). The cost of an e-reader is extremely high and is simply not worth the advantages.

Although a handy contraption, the e-reader is over-rated, for it is extremely costly and economically mediocre. For thousands of years, books have served people around the globe satisfactorily, and people have never claimed books to be inconvenient before. Obviously, books are very convenient: the average book is easy to carry, and most people only carry one or two books with them at a time—not a difficult maneuver. It is apparent that our society imagines problems with the old when the new arrives—problems that never existed before. Settings like the dictionary, passage finder, and highlighter are quick and useful, but these are not things that are difficult to do without an e-reader. Bill Gates himself confesses:

Reading off the screen is still vastly inferior to reading off of paper. Even I, who have these expensive screens and fancy myself as a pioneer of this Web Lifestyle, when it comes to something over about four or five pages, I print it out and I like to have it to carry around with me and annotate. And it’s quite a hurdle for technology to achieve or match the level of usability(Darnton 69).

In addition to the practical, environmental, or economic considerations, what about the beauty of the book? Many owners of e-readers admit that they miss their books, miss turning the pages, and miss the familiar smell. All “Marian the Librarians” know that exhilarating fresh smell of a new book—and the feel of a stiff binding, and the sound of words screaming to be read. It is a fascinating idea to think that the words you’re reading in some old second-hand book have been read by an number of people—the same ink markings have been enjoyed, studied, or despised by others before you. Books are a strange connection between people. They have power. The writer, Sydney Smith, said that “No furniture is so charming as books”(Useful Information Website). Somehow, a little white piece of metal isn’t the same.

Consider the book. It has extraordinary staying power. Ever since the invention of the codex sometime close to the birth of Christ, it has proven to be a marvelous machine—great for packaging and information, convenient to thumb through, comfortable to curl up with, superb for storage, and remarkably resistant to damage. It does not need to be upgraded or downloaded, accessed or booted, plugged into circuits or extracted from webs. Its design makes it a delight to the eye. Its shape makes it a pleasure to hold in the hand. And its handiness has made it the basic tool of learning for thousands of years (Darnton 68).

Before it was said that only time will tell if either the e-reader or the book is the best choice, but, in fact, the book has already stood that test—it’s stood the test for five thousand years, and the e-reader will not last that.

Works Cited:

Darnton, Robert. The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future. New York: PublicAffairs, 2009

Deiterich, Ann. “Carbon Footprint Definition for Kids.” Live Strong. 31 Mar. 2011.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/159514-carbon-footprint-definition-for-kids/

“E-readers vs. Old Fashioned Books—Which is Greener?” Sierra Club Green. 9 Dec. 2010.
http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/videos/e-readers-vs-old-fashioned-books%e2%80%94which-is-greener/

“Famous Library and Librarian Quotations.” Useful Information. 22 Apr. 2011.
http://www.useful-information.info/quotations/library_quotes.html

A Minor Decision to Save the Earth

In the modern world some say that our resources are running low. Have we been careless and imprudent with our resources? Recycling is too time-consuming for some people who are busy and running from place to place. Surprisingly, prices are higher on eco-friendly things, which makes people take the easy way out. Yet, is the world slowly running out of the means we need to live?

Shopping after a long hard day of work, people often don’t want to have to search for items of an economy- helping nature because they are often in hard to find spots in the stores. When these items are found they usually are well above the price of the standard item they could buy instead. Understandably, people often take the easy way out, which means buying what is cheapest rather than what is good for the environment. Also things such as charged batteries can be much more of a hassle than throwing out the old ones and buying new ones.

Separating out recyclables also can easily be time consuming. Exhaustingly long hours at work can make a simple task like separating the trash from the reusable items seems like a great chore. However, it only takes about three minutes out of your day, and it can help the world become a cleaner and safer place. Sometimes it takes no time at all. Just lickity split. After that, your whole day is free, but you helped make the world a better place.

When it all comes down to it, is three minutes of your day that long? Why cut down trees which provide cover, oxygen, and food for animals if we can reuse paper? As you recycle paper, you are simply adding to the beauty of this world and saving nature. Using eco-friendly gas, such as ethanol limits the pollution, which gives our lungs a healthy fresh breath of air. The Environment Defense association did a study that showed that “the risk of cancer from breathing diesel exhaust is about ten times more than ingesting all other toxic air pollutants combined, with diesel emissions contributing to over 70% of the cancer risk from air pollution in the USA.” Consciously deciding to reuse water bottles also cuts down on the heavily growing pollution in our air.

Some people say that recycling is an unnecessary waste of time. However, with minimal effort the people of this nation can make and maintain a better living place for our children and their children. Simply recycling will better our community. Walking to nearby places, which will save on pollution in the air released by cars, is an easy way to save resources. It doesn’t take much-a small thought here, a minor decision there-and you are gradually helping save the earth.

Home Schooling or Public Schooling: Socialization?

The differences between educating children at home and at school are incredibly different so it no surprise that the social aspects of these two education styles are also incredibly different. But which is the most beneficial path to take—homeschooling or public schooling? While public school students are surrounded by hundreds of people their own age, home school students study with and teach their own siblings—or perhaps, with a small study group. In Public Education, students are taught by teachers employed by the school, whereas homeschoolers are taught primarily by their own parents. Also, education style greatly affects the family as well, and the differences between the family life of public school students and homeschool students are incredible. So which road is the most beneficial for the social lives of students, their families, friends, and teachers?

Surrounded by hundreds of students every day, public schooled children have a vastly different experience than home schooled students. Culturally enriching, public school awakes students to the differences of others—their beliefs, their lifestyles, their learning styles. Students may become friends with those unlike them, helping them to see the world in different, fresh ways. Because students spend most of the day, five days a week with each other, they have the opportunity to form strong friendships with each other. Through Public Education programs, extracurricular activities are usually easily accessible to students, providing other outlets for their strong interests. This is a convenient option. The social settings of homeschool students are very different. Although they do study daily together, their schedules are more flexible, allowing them to meet with their friends at different times. Also, they’re friendships are likely to be with children of all ages, as they are not confined to studying within age groups.

Relationships with adults is an important social aspect of education. Passing down their knowledge, teachers have a great responsibility to students, instructing, encouraging, and meeting their needs. In public school, students enjoy the benefits of having some teachers who possess a bounty of information on particular subjects. They experience many different teaching styles and are familiar with many different adults, which can be healthy. For home schooled students, studying is primarily with their parents. Providing unlimited one-on-one time for students, parents can give the attention truly needed for their children, helping them to become strong in their subjects. Naturally, parents understand the needs of their children well and are equipped to help them in their individual learning styles. As teachers have an enormous effect on students’ lives and education, the strengths of public school teachers and home school teachers are very important.

Obviously, a student’s education affects his family life enormously. Because homeschooled students study at home, they are with their family a great deal of the time. Spending time learning, playing, and talking together, they become extremely close, understanding and truly knowing each other. When a student’s teachers are their parents, they develop respectful caring relationships by learning to understand each other. Although homeschoolers have less chances to meet people, their siblings become their best friends because they are used to being together. Siblings are likely to be life-long friends. It is true that many families feel that homeschooling cannot suit their family life because both parents need to work, and some families feel, probably accurately, that they prefer the ease of the public school system. However, in the view of family closeness and friendship, homeschooling is surely a wise path.

Although home schooled students may not have as many chances to meet people in their studying environments, their friendships are not plagued by peer pressure, cliques, bullying, and the popularity complex of public school, causing their friendships to be strong, long-lasting, and honest. Also, they have chances to make friends in areas of their lives other than school. Learning from their very own parents, homeschool students have the advantage of studying with teachers who understand and care about them and can provide one-on-one help as opposed to public school teaching with only one teacher to twenty some students in a class. Unlike public school students, homeschool students are not gone all day long at school, and consequently, are able to spend much time with their families, creating familiar, trusting relationships. How can families who only see each other for three or four hours a day know each other well? Homeschooling brings families closer together, making friends of siblings. Surely, homeschooling has great advantages socially between a student and their teachers, friends, and family.