Teaching to learn by Brianna

Teaching to learn by Brianna - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

If I could offer a teacher advice to help me learn, I would tell them to not worry about the test. Far too often teachers teach to the test instead of the material in general. This is detrimental to students because they are not learning anything, they are simply regurgitating what the teacher says. My favorite classes have been the classes that don’t have Districts Assessments. When a class has a District Assessment the whole class is geared towards that test so we only learn the answers to the exact questions on the test.

For example I took AP Psychology my junior year, the class had tests for each unit we covered, but never any district mandated test or material. This allowed the teacher to teach what we needed to learn about psychology for the AP exam or for life in general. Although we were never tested by the district on what we knew, I earned a 5 on the AP test because our teacher taught what we need to be able to apply, not just regurgitate. I am currently enrolled in AP French this year which is another class without any district mandate. Each year before in French I could only have a conversation that was based on whatever unit we worked on. This year our class has conversations on anything from the weather to politics in French because Mr. Lapoujade doesn't have to teach specific items. Now instead of simply earning my grade in the class, I actually understand and can speak French at a proficient level.

Teachers should stop simply teaching for students to pass. Students should be able to actually understand and apply the material not just repeat it. Teachers are hear to help us actually learna not just pass.