Frequent Testing- Pro et Contra Essay
Recent researches show that frequent testing can improve students’ academic performance. Students, who have to pass their every day or every week show better academic results in comparison to their peers, who do not have frequent testing. Gina Kolata in her article named Guesses and Hype Give Way to Data in Study of Education illustrates how beneficial can be different testing and evaluations for the educational system. The author points out that the contemporary educational system lacks systematic research. Learning institutions do not have enough statistics to be sure about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of different learning methods, styles, and approaches. As the author points out, “The findings could be transformative, researchers say. For example, one conclusion from the new research is that the choice of instructional materials — textbooks, curriculum guides, homework, quizzes — can affect achievement as profoundly as teachers themselves; a poor choice of materials is at least as bad as a terrible teacher, and a good choice can help offset a bad teacher’s deficiencies” (Kolata, 2013).
Statistic data shows that testing can be an effective instrument that helps to improve academic performance. Different studies show that students who have to pass tests frequently demonstrate better attendance and their enrollment study results were higher in comparison to those students who have only midterm tests. In addition, frequent testing may have an impact not only not on the study results. It can also change the very approach to the study process. Students become more responsible if they know that their knowledge will be tested on a regular basis.
Frequent tests not only improve academic performance but also help learners get the right attitude to the study process and finally, they teach them how to learn correctly. Students, who know that they will be tested every lesson do not postpone their studies and get prepared for each lesson.
Despite positive results of frequent testing, such an approach causes certain disturbances. Though it can be effective in making students study more, it may bring some negative results in the long-time perspective. First of all, students who have to pass tests in every class live under constant stress. Tests are usually stressful even for those, who possess good knowledge of the subject. In addition, good scores become the main goal of the learning process. Students start learning in order to get a high grade. Such an approach can bring good results in short term, but, at the same time, may show negative effects in the future. Students who study only to pass a test have less time to think and evaluate learning material. They have fewer opportunities to reflect and make their own conclusions. Moreover, if all teachers choose such an approach, students will have several tests every day. This can have a negative effect on their health and their moral and emotional condition. At the same time, if only some teachers choose such an approach, there is a probability that students will tend to study only the material they will need for the test and this may have a negative effect on general academic performance. Secondly, each student is a unique personality. They have their learning styles, learning preferences, and learning peculiarities. Not all of them can perform successfully if they have tests on a regular basis. Here rises another important question about attendance and frequent testing. Some students prefer to plan their learning process individually and prefer not to attend all classes. At the same time, they have deep and profound knowledge of the subject. In the case of frequent testing, they will not be able to perform successfully because they will not be presented in all classes. Taken together all pros and contras it becomes evident that frequent testing is a controversial approach that requires careful consideration. On the one hand results of the research shows that this approach has a positive impact on academic performance. On the other hand, frequent testing can become a source of additional stress and thus can have a negative impact on students’ health and emotional state.
References
Kolata, G. (September 2, 2013). Guesses and Hype Give Way to Data in Study of Education, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/03/science/applying-new-rigor-in-studying-education.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
