We now live in a world where "smart work" pays better than "hard work," and the old ways educational system are being put to the test. For years, students have been taught to study hard, made to cram facts, and pass exams that often do little to prepare them for real-world challenges. But as technology continues to reshape everything, the way we educate students needs also to be reformed. The big question now is: Can students perform better with less strict rules, and is the traditional way of writing exams still effective? The answer might be a lot more exciting than we think, so let's dive in shall we?
In today’s professional world, access to information is rarely limited since every child now has access to a device and the internet is within their reach. We now live in a time where any question can be answered by a quick Google search. So why do our educational systems still force students into environments where they're isolated from these resources during exams? What if we relaxed some of these rules? Would students actually perform better or would it make them more dumb and encourage them them to rely on technology instead of their brains?
The idea of removing or loosening the restrictions during exams makes sense when we consider the world we’re preparing students for. In most professions, it’s not about how much you remember; it’s about how you use the tools and information at your disposal to solve problems. In this scenario, creativity, critical thinking, and resourcefulness become the most important skills.
Imagine an exam where students do not regurgitate information they’ve memorized, you could ask them to apply that information in new and challenging ways. The funniest thing about the educational system we find ourselves in is that they always ask the questions "what" and not "how". In class several times, I always asked myself "how is this applicable in the real world". As I said earlier, technology has advanced and instead of cramming unnecessary things, we should be exposed to how we can apply those things in reality such as in simulations.
Are the Old Ways Still Effective?
Heaven knows that all I learnt in school, more than 50% left the head immediately I finished the exams. The only ones that stayed are the practical. Let us look at learning a skill for instance. Why do you think there is always growth in that aspect? Let me tell you why, it is because they always practice what they are taught and when it is time for their exams, the instructor will be creative with the questions or tasks that they put all they have learned to the test. We live in an age of open information, and success is more about applying knowledge than memorizing it. They old ways might still be helpful because it brought us to the age we are in now but as you know, they greatest minds weren't confined in the walls of an institution and change is ever constant.
One alternative is to shift toward problem-based learning. This approach presents students with real world problems to solve, which encourages them to think critically, research, and collaborate. The beauty of PBL is that it mirrors real-life situations where answers aren't straightforward, and solutions require thought, creativity, and effective use of resources. Do you think that all bakers were taught every thing in class? I don't think so but when a client needs a particular item, go go and apply the knowledge they know and not what they crammed or memorized.
Another option could be open-book tests. Some may worry that access to technology would make exams too easy, but this wouldn’t be the case if exams are designed well. The questions would need to challenge students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information. For example, instead of asking “What is the capital of Nigeria?” you could ask, “How would Nigeria’s political landscape change if its capital were moved to another region, and what factors should be considered in making such a decision?” Simple Googling won't cut it. Students would need to understand underlying concepts, apply them, and defend their reasoning. My entrepreneurship lecturer in school did this and I know how many people in my department are applying that knowledge now in the real world.
What Should Education Focus On To Create Brighter Minds?
With the constant change especially in the tech sector, the skills students need to succeed are changing. Education systems should focus on teaching adaptability, digital literacy, critical thinking, and team work.
- Adaptability: In a fast-changing world, students must learn to adapt to new technologies and ways of working.
- Digital literacy: Understanding how to use technology effectively, not just for entertainment but as a tool for research, collaboration, and innovation, is crucial.
- Critical thinking: Students need to be trained to analyze problems, think critically, and make decisions based on the data available. Thinking outside the box gives room for change and massive growth instead of what questions.
- Collaboration and communication: As remote work becomes more common, the ability to work well in teams both in person and online will be key.
Suggestions for the Educational System
Redesign Exams: Shift the focus from memorization to real-world problem-solving. Exams should challenge students to apply concepts to new situations, encouraging deeper understanding.
Leverage Technology: Introduce the learning sphere to tech enhanced learning and assessments, such as interactive simulations, and project-based learning. This makes education more engaging and aligned with modern demands. I know parents are engaging their kids in this and there are schools in Lagos that are introducing basic programming classes. This will definitely grow the school, the teachers and the students.
Teach Life Skills: Alongside academic knowledge, students should learn practical skills like financial literacy, digital security, and emotional intelligence or whatever they find interesting. With proper guidance, they can navigate modern life successfully.
Train Educators: In my country, the educators are not always wanting to know more on how to reach the minds of their students and harvest the potential. I can assure you that if I go back to my primary and secondary schools, they are still stuck intheir year-old ways of teaching. Ensuring teachers are equipped to guide students in a digital world is a need to expose them to new teaching methods and technologies that can enhance learning.
In conclusion, by incorporating technology into exams, we can teach students to understand and prepare them for a world where data is abundant but not all of it is useful. The key would be in creating exams that reward critical thinking and problem-solving, rather than simply knowing the right answer. Students could be tested on how well they evaluate sources of information or how creatively they apply their knowledge to new challenges.
The world is changing, and our education systems need to change with it. We can better prepare students for the future, helping them become not just good test-takers, but smart, capable problem-solvers.
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