I just recently posted a blog about how we, as parents, can promote a better relationship of our kids with their homework, assignments, and other tasks. Now, speaking from a teacher's perspective, I would like to share some thoughts about how we, instructors and educators, can help students become intrinsically motivated and deeply engaged in the learning process. We want to help students stay constantly thirsty for knowledge, become critical thinkers, and be creative individuals.
In an ideal world, the first thing I would do, as a classroom instructor, would be to eliminate the grading system. (I know... That will never happen! But I can still dream, right?) I believe that grades (like punishment) can ruin the whole purpose behind the assignment. Students tend to unconsciously (and even consciously!) deal with the assignment as a way of achieving a certain grade and meeting the teacher's expectations, rather then actually learning and growing from the activity itself. The students' analytical thinking becomes narrowed down into following the rules of the assignment and rigidly sticking into the expectation (and perspective) of the teacher - rather then allowing creativity and critical thinking to take place. Alfie Kohn shares some interesting points about how "grades tend to diminish students' interest" in learning; how it can "create a preference for the easiest possible task"; and even "reduce the quality of students' thinking".
Grades, punishment, and rewards can be great incentives in a few cases. But not all. Overall, I believe that they take away the intrinsic motivation of wanting to learn and grow (as a person, as a student, as a professional...), and replace it with the extrinsic motivation of having to meet the requirements and get good grades (or avoid punishment). By limiting our students to focus on grades (small rewards/punishments) we are asking them to stay inside the box and forget about the big picture - rather then motivating them to look around and explore possibilities. Also, we are labeling our students into an assigned letter (or number) that qualifies who they are and how they performed - rather then showing them that they are unique individuals with unlimited and awesome ideas (but also space for growth). In addition, grades can provoke unnecessary anxiety, low self-esteem, and block their creativity.
I can't change the system. But as a future professor (and as a parent), I choose to help my students (and my children) to look beyond the grades (before and after the assignment). First of all, I want them to understand the purpose of studying, learning, and working hard on their homework. I want them to understand that grades are secondary - they are numbers used as part of a measuring system, assessment required from our society - they are not really the ultimate goal of going to school. The main goal of studying is to learn, think, and grow. Secondly, when receiving the grade, I want them to be able to look beyond that feedback. Numbers and letters can never define who they are, what they are capable of doing, and how well they can perform. Yes, grades can help indicate areas where they can improve, but they are not determinant of their potential. Sometimes, grades are even unfair. We need to teach students to be self-criticals and evaluators of themselves in a balanced and healthy way. If possible, as a teacher, we need to sit down and take sometime to provide qualitative feedback to each student, allowing them to acknowledge their strengths and recognize the areas they need to work on more.
I challenge all the teachers, professors, instructors, and educators to think outside the grades. When assigning an activity or preparing an exam, try to provide a space for your students to show their knowledge, to be creative, to make critical analysis, to raise questions, to share their thoughts, to disagree, to think of solutions, to provide a different perspective on the subject… When evaluating the assignment, provide useful feedback that can help them grow. We need to help students become future professionals that can think outside the box and bring solutions for a better world. Let's start by modeling it ourselves!
You, as a parent, can also do the same!
See this link about motivating students: strategies, ideas, and recommendations.
Thank you,
Beatriz Lima
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