The great John Wooden once said, "Never mistake activity for achievement." I have definitely taken this advice to heart in coaching sports. So, when I read an interesting article (http://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?ContentId=15602) today, I noted similar advice on teaching, "Teachers also should help their students understand that effort and quality are not synonymous and that it is achievement, not the effort that led to it, that is rewarded." So, for example, class participation based on quantity is not a collegial means of grading students. Instead, students who participate in a meaningful way should see the results when they complete tests or papers or other assignments that are grades based on achievement of learning objectives.
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Its an interesting point raised. I can understand the idea that some students may have that by expending the effort of attending class that they automatically get the achievement of an A which of course isn't a reality (at least not yet). I also think its important to define Effort or Activity. If Mr. Wooden is defining Activity as someone is simply "there" then I agree. However, if he has defined activity or effort as studying for an exam 7 hours every day for 2 weeks, reading all materials three times, working with the professor, and going the extra mile then I completely disagree. A student who has done the things I mentioned may not have "earned" an A but they certainly have not "earned" an F no matter what the means of assessment may reflect. I believe that it isn't an either/or argument. Effort reflects a level of achievement. Lots of real effort should reflect high levels of achievement. Alas, as we see in society their are some that just luck out with minimal effort and gain the great levels of achievement they wish but this is a very small minority. To me its not about how hard you work, but how smart you work. Yes, you use high levels of effort but only specifically for certain task that will maximize the achievement you want. For example, take an athelete in college. When should they exert the maximum amount of effort? All the time? Of course not, they would burn out and get little achievement. When scouts come, or the team really needs them to come through at certain points in the game, then they need to go all out. Same thing in academics. Pace yourself. Effort and Achievement go hand in hand and in my book it really isn't a VS issue.
ReplyDeleteChretien
Chretien-
ReplyDeleteI think we are saying the same thing, which is that well-directed activity should lead to achievement. Mis-directed or little activity will not, for most people. And just showing up for class is NOT activity. You actually have to get involved.
My example on the sports side - you can run really, really fast to the wrong end zone! Lots of activity, little achievement!
In class, totally agree. If I set up the activities and you complete them all, then you should also have great achievement!
Sue