055 Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality

55. "Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education."

The role of exams in school is a debatable issue. Some hold that too stiff the competition for high grades seriously handicap the quality of learning, while others believe that the motivation to do well in exam is the impetus of learning. I believe that competition for grades is detrimental to students.

People who believe that competition for high grades would help a student to learn more point to Asian countries for example. Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan use standardized test to evaluate their students. To get into a good university, Asian students have to do very well in the test. The competitions for grades push them hard, and they would have to memorize tons of material so that they can score in the exam. When they come to US to study, Asians always outdo their peers because of the study habit acquired in secondary schools. Likewise, in International math and physics contest, Asians are the familiar faces to win prizes.

However, learning is actually more than grades. How much a person learns cannot be measured by how successful he is in regurgitating what he had been taught. Asian students might outshine their peers in exam hall. This does not mean that he learns more-- it just means that he can recall the facts well. The true measure of learning quality lies in the application, that is, how good can a person synthesize what he learns and applies it to the real world. University professors often complain that Asians are good at only solving exam problems. The weakness of Asians is that they are trained to follow books' solution. They are not attuned to think from various aspect and thus proposing insightful solutions to solve age-old problems. Despite the fact that Asians monopolizes math and physics contest, the number of Asian Nobel laureate remain thinly few. Where is the problem? The problem lies with the educational system. Stiffness of competition for grade squelched the stark of critical thinking and creative imagination, and it discourage from challenging the authority. Students learn passively for exam, instead of studying actively for interest. That is why Asian Nobel laureates are so few, for to win Nobel Prize one needs to make a breakthrough in his field. A student who get used to rigid memorizing is not likely to challenge the existing authority. As we know, questioning authority is the first step in making discoveries; those who do not challenge the established convention would have little chance to make a breakthrough.

Learning is not just limit to school; it is an ongoing progress. However, the competition for grades makes learning look disdainful. It is a joy killer. Many of us will recall the day when we burned mid night oil to face exams. It is a bitter experience, and we do not want to face it again. Gaining knowledge might be an enjoyable, but our school days experiences teach us that studying is tantamount to exams, which itself is synonym with getting good score. As a result, we would not want to pick up books when we reach adulthood for it reminds us the painful old days. Competition for high grades actually discourages learning more than encouraging it.

It is clear that competition for high grades does more harm than good to learning. If we want our students to enjoy learning, than we have to free them from the fear of exams and the burden of getting As. Einstein's result was not the top in his class, but he achieved greater things than his classmate did. Had he trade off his creative mental power with high grades, he would not make such great discoveries. The correct motive to study is not to score well, but to equip oneself for challenge. If we can remember this, then learning will be a much more enjoyable process.

i really wanna point out that Taiwan is a part of China,it is not a country!!

Wrong. Republic of China is indeed a different state than People's Republic of China. Just because they both have China in their official name does not make them the same country.

Google is hard.

i really wanna point out that Taiwan is a part of China,it is not a country!!

I as well as most liberal people around the world, like my friends, will not agree any of your arguments.

It is only a subjective definition without supports and groundings.

All my previous posts and arguing are with undeniable logic and expressive organization, and so does my correction comments on your or other’s post. I will like to help criticize the irrational or misused reasons from any of your words.

i really wanna point out that Taiwan is a part of China,it is not a country!!

I as well as most liberal people around the world, like my friends, will not agree any of your arguments.

It is only a subjective definition without supports and groundings.

All my previous posts and arguing are with undeniable logic and expressive organization, and so does my correction comments on your or other’s post. I will like to help criticize the irrational or misused reasons from any of your words.