Is it true?
Great advice from NYT: to really learn, Quit Studying and Take a Test
This article is about learning. It suggest that quiz taking is more affective in learning material than two other methods. (1.reading notes or book, 2. making concept map) It shows that by studying the material and quizzing on it you maintain it better. In the article it compares it to a man trying to get stronger he will only get the results he's looking for if he applies him self by working out it would do no good if the instructor just teaches him how and tells him to do it but he don't apply yourself.
I think this is true in a way meanwhile I do not agree on this method of teaching. You may be studying so that you don't fail the quiz or test. And You may be retaining more information that way however, I think this would be to stressful on a student. They would study and study and never get a break. Eventually the students will get tired and to stressed out to even worry bout the quiz/test. Therefore, them not studying or doing any work at all. The end result would be no learning because the student feels over worked. But this is only my opinion on if test taking is more effective than two other teaching methods.
I agree with this also. However, you could always take the test without studying, then use that to study. For example, you could study the answers you got wrong without spending your energy on the ones you already know. Taking the test blind would help you determine your own personal zone of proximal development with that particular content. That would make it a lot less stressful because you wouldn’t be worrying about getting them all right; you would would be confident in knowing you already know some of the material. It’s like you are dividing your worry in half! Also, because you are spending more time of the “new knowledge or unlearned knowledge,” you will retain the information better. Essentially, if you used your quizzes as pre-tests, and only focused on the ones you got incorrect, then you wouldn’t feel the need to be so stressed out.
ReplyDeleteJacob Boggs