Module 5 – Traditional and Non-traditional Assessments

Study hard and get good grades!

“Study hard and get good grades and you will find a high-paying job with great benefits”  –            Robert Kiyosaki on Rich Dad, Poor Dad

As a kid, I am frequently told by my parents to study hard and get good grades. For all I know is for them to be proud of me, especially my father. So I grew up putting much attention in getting high ratings in examinations, quizzes, projects and everything to excel in my academics.

As a student, I have my own version of doing my reviewer in preparation for the upcoming test, exams, and tasks. I recall back then when I was in college, I used to write all the key pointers of what I have learned about the subject that might appear in the exam. That key pointer was written as an acronym for an easy memorization of definitions and terms. ( Remember the KISS? Keep It Short and Simple! ). Before the scheduled midterm or final examination, I make sure to create a reviewer written in a piece of yellow pad paper. That reviewer seems to be my best friend and my only hope to pass the test and get a high score in the test. In short, I rely on my reviewer.

Most of the time, I prefer taking the traditional kind of exam. I knew myself well because I usually tend to recall information from a subject-centered approach of teaching when I was studying in a traditional school setting. Most of the assessment formats used during my time include matching type, fill in the blanks, true or false, identifications, and the multiple-choice test. Sometimes there are subject that includes essay type of question; the kind of assessment format that threatens me. The reason why is because, I am an introvert person and I just don’t know how to express myself well in writing, especially using the English language. I had a difficulty in choosing the right words to say or write that best suits what I really wanted to convey. I am just thankful now that I am gradually adapting an adult learning through writing a reflection and insights like this, considering this is one kind of a non-traditional assessment. (Kudos to this subject!)

I found lessons in this module, which made me, realize that as a student I can use a higher order thinking skills, analyze, synthesize and apply what I have learned in a substantial manner just like an authentic assessment, performance or constructivists assessment that was termed also as non-traditional assessments: a broad range of innovative forms of assessment.

At the end of the day, a test should be just a test. It should not be something that makes or breaks a child’s future endeavor.