Re: The impact of Grades

["Humberto Suarez" <humbertos@gua.net>]

Hi all:

I just want to add some thoughts to this discussion. I dont have experience
as a teacher but as a student.

I have known some students who have been able to graduate from undergraduate
school without openning a book.  Somehow they were able to get copies of the
notes taken from another student, get notes in little papers they would
place in strategic places, get tests from previous years to know what the
teacher would ask, and a lot of other very creative techniques I am sure you
all know about.

Eventhough I was serious about learning, I remember as a student more than
once, answering what I thought my teacher wanted to hear, even if I thought
he was wrong.  I did not learn a lot, but managed to get a good enough
grade.  (I know I did the wrong thing here, but I justify myself saying
these were required courses I thought were not important).

Lastly, I want to bring to your attention all the different manuals and
courses that can be received to prepare you for exams such as the SAT, GMAT,
etc.  Of course you must have a certain level of knowledge to do good
overall.  However there are ways to figure out how to get a beter result
without necesarilly learning more.

The point I am trying to make is that the focus of the current system is on
getting the grade and not in learning.  That there are ways (and the
motivation is there) to get the grades without the knowledge, and that
therefore grades are not a good indicator of future performance.

Thanks.

Humberto.
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