High School valedictorian Erica Goldson's speech caused me to reflect, once again, on how learning does or should happen and how we can know that it has taken place.
The question of assessment and how it enhances or impedes learning is one most teachers have been engaged in for years. Would that it were as easy as just chucking the grading systems that have evolved and go for a more enlightened approach to self-learning. However, experience has shown that few of us are willing or able to take on the responsibility for personal education; there must be some means of confirming a level of learning in any field. I wouldn't want a doctor to do surgery on ME if that person had not demonstrated proficiency.
There is increasing emphasis on defined learning outcomes for each course at every level of schooling, and that may bode well for change. I can envision evolution toward demonstrating competence with the defined learning outcomes in order to receive credit for a course. That would allow the very bright or very ambitious to move ahead as quickly as possible within the bounds of their own intellect and energy. It would also enable those who are not as self-directed to achieve similar goals by engaging in a structured and teacher guided learning program.
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