ASSESSMENT

Prompt:

"The latter portion of chapter 4 focused heavily on assessment and evaluation.  Watch the videos below and reflect upon how these countries compare and contrast to each other and to our U.S. educational system. 

Finland: 

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctuo7ibEWZI

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cjLfR-T1s

China:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnuH6Bu-8FE

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoVSWFTP4AE

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TLmJ1bFd0Y

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0u7sNKkg-4

The United States educational system ranks lower than many industrialized countries.  Why do you think this is? What are your thoughts on Finland's educational system?  What about their view of teachers?  How about China's system?  What do you think of the students that attend this school?  What do you think about the parents?  Choose one student and discuss him/her.  How did their situation end? What do you think their future holds?  Do you think so much emphasis should be placed on one test?  How do you think technology could change this situation in the future? Discuss."

Here's my response to the prompt:

I think that the USA is so far behind Finland and China because we lack the resources, faculty, and the discipline that other countries demonstrate. We do no have the structure that upholds the other countries. We have a freer curriculum. Plus we do not respect teachers as China does. The Harvard woman that spoke with the narrator in the PBS Chinese Education video said that Chinese people do not approve of the system but still push their children to do their best. Finland's education system is well structured. To be honest they have more staff and resources to help excel the students. Three teachers per classroom means that children could never goof off or be lazy. China has such a concrete structure  but at what cost? The video said that China had the highest suicide rate. They have a suicide forest that people kill themselves at everyday. I think the pressure of one test is ridiculous. When do you have time to be a kid? While I think that the USA should have more structure, we are still able to explore lots of opportunities. Chinese students aren't even allowed to participate in sports their last year. Plus they don't even socialize. I find that they would lack so many personal skills that they would need. I think that technology will make tests and information easier to access. I think that we should model after Finland and try to better our education.

Credit for the prompt due to Theresa Henderson. Credit for the video due to Youtube.