{"id":924,"date":"2011-05-01T16:05:31","date_gmt":"2011-05-01T21:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bethknittle.net\/WP_Blog\/?p=924"},"modified":"2011-05-01T16:05:31","modified_gmt":"2011-05-01T21:05:31","slug":"thoughts-on-beware-the-straight-a-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bethknittle.net\/WP_Blog\/?p=924","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on “Beware the straight-A student”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Doug Johnson recently wrote “Beware the straight-A student<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Doug wonders\u2026.
\nif straight-A students are “demonstrating, not intelligence, but the ability to conform, to mindlessly follow instructions, to support the established order? Do truly original thinkers and creative problem-solvers get high grades in school?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This reminded me of a situation I faced two years back in taking an online course designed for middle school science teachers.\u00a0 The course was in earth science and I have a strong back ground in the subject.\u00a0 On one assignment we were asked to discuss, how different rift valley systems may form.\u00a0 Most of the information provided in the course resource list was pretty basic so I decided to dig deeper and do a little research. I turned in my paper with references and was given a failing grade.\u00a0 I spoke with the instructor to who said the information I provided was not on the rubric she was given to evaluate the paper. I asked if she could review the resources and confirm my information, she did and I received an A.\u00a0 She did admonish me and ask that in the future I limit all my other work to the resources provide in the course and not to wander.\u00a0 I complied and received an A but did not learn a single new idea.<\/p>\n

Maybe it is because I am getting older, have a ‘unique’ child, or am saddened by watching creative teachers lose their enthusiasm but I am getting more and more cynical about schooling.\u00a0 I am questioning more and more why we educator our children the way we do.\u00a0 It seems that if you are organized, follow directions and stick to the script you do well.\u00a0 But if you are distracted by other interests, question what is asked of you, and seek to try things differently you are non-compliant and a failure at school. I concur with Doug that this may be why change is harder in schools.\u00a0 Those that were the straight-A students are those who are running the system and very good at following the expectations set before them.\u00a0 Maybe we need the creative, distracted, risk takers to take a turn.\u00a0 But those individuals were not rewarded by the system they did not fit in, there may not be many who returned to work in formal education as adults.<\/p>\n

I think my focus is being redirected from school and education towards learning and creativity.\u00a0 It is the latter I wish for my children.\u00a0 More and more I realize that they take place outside of school.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Doug Johnson recently wrote “Beware the straight-A student.” Doug wonders\u2026. if straight-A students are “demonstrating, not intelligence, but the ability to conform, to mindlessly follow instructions, to support the established order? Do truly original thinkers and creative problem-solvers get high grades in school?” This reminded me of a situation I faced two years back in taking an online course designed for middle school science teachers.\u00a0 The course was in earth science and I have a strong back ground in the…<\/p>\n

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