Return to Normality, Sort of

Well, I apologize for my short hiatus. I was at a convention in New Orleans for Golden Key International Honour Society. Needless to say, I enjoyed myself. It was nice to be surrounded with a bunch of intellectuals, I forgot they existed for a while.

I remembered what #2 was from the previous things. So here it is:

2. Quit asking what will and won't be on the test. If it's covered in class, it's open game for the test. If it's in the book, it's open game for the class. I think I may have come to the conclusion why some people struggle so much, and also (conveniently) why I hate public schools.

As we all know, or should know by now, many schools are guilty of "teaching to the test," for which, I blame on the gradual decline in intellect. Sure, you can tell me how people are smarter than average, or how SAT scores in the state have rise, but if you sit through a normal classroom or public are, you will hear the dumbest comments (FYI, the Summer Solstice is not a holiday).

People are so concerned with "what's on the test" that they forget how to learn. I really think that is why people take the "brain dump" after an exam and then have trouble with the next class. It all comes down to retention, and American's aren't doing it.

This is what I hear almost every day or a regular occasion in at least one, if not both classes:

• Is that on the test?


• Do we need to study that for the test?


• Will that be a multiple choice type question or a short answer?


• How much of that will be on the test?


• Will we need to that for later chapters?


• Can we have bonus questions on the test?


• Can you give us a study guide for the test?


• What is the layout of the test/Is this test similar to the last test?


• Can we have a note card for this test?


• Do we need a calculator for this test?


• How many questions are on the test?


• How long do I have to take the test?


• What if I don't finish the test?


• Do you drop a test?


• Is this test comprehensive?


• Can I ask you another question about the test instead of trying to learn the material?

Okay, so the last one I made up, but it leads me to this. I think if you legitimately sit through class and attempt to learn the material (actually indulge yourself for an hour and a half), then I bet the material will be easier to understand. This is just a shot in the dark, but if you try to actually learn the material, instead of the test question, then future chapters will be easier to understand.

I can answer all of those questions relatively simple:

It's all on the test, no I won't give you a study guide because when you come to class, you get the notes. You don't need a calculator to figure out that 10/2 = 5. If you know the material well, you can finish the test relatively soon because it's all material covered in class. If you actually learn the material, you will be able to answer a short answer question or a multiple choice question and you won't need the extra credit because you actually learned the material.

And please, ask another question so I can give you the same response again. Learn the material, not the test.