Teachers should provide feedback and guidance rather than simply assigning grades from "summary" of The Schools Our Children Deserve by Alfie Kohn
The real question is not whether students should be graded but whether they should be coached. Grades themselves are to blame for a number of problems in education. They create a competitive environment, where students are more concerned with outperforming their peers than with truly understanding the material. They also discourage risk-taking and creativity because students are afraid to make mistakes that could lower their grade. In addition, grades are often seen as a final judgment on a student's abilities, rather than as feedback that can help them improve. When teachers focus on providing feedback and guidance instead of just assigning grades, they are able to create a more supportive and collaborative learning environment. Students are encouraged to take risks and explore new ideas, knowing that they will receive constructive feedback that will help them grow. This type of feedback is much more effective at fostering intrinsic motivation in students than grades, which are ultimately extrinsic motivators. Feedback is a powerful tool for improving student learning. When teachers provide specific, timely feedback that is focused on the process rather than the product, students are better able to understand where they went wrong and how they can improve. This type of feedback is much more effective at promoting learning than a simple letter grade, which does little to help students understand what they did right or wrong. In addition to providing feedback, teachers should also focus on guiding students through the learning process. This means helping students set goals, monitor their progress, and reflect on their learning. By taking an active role in guiding students through their learning journey, teachers can help students develop important skills such as self-regulation, problem-solving, and critical thinking.- The goal of education should be to help students become lifelong learners who are capable of thinking critically and creatively. By focusing on providing feedback and guidance rather than simply assigning grades, teachers can create a more supportive and effective learning environment that promotes student growth and success.
