Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Banking concept thoughts
In my reading and while discussing in class i thought that the banking concept was the most interesting. When it talks about how the teachers cram information into us and then test us on it, a lot of the blame was put on the teachers instead rather than the system itself. I believe the true cause to be grades and standards. In order for us to meet the standards and get good grades we have put ourselves into the banking concept. Teachers teach whats going to be on the test and students cram in what they have to in order to pass the test and move on. When you are worried about getting an "A" in a class it is hard to think for yourself, to think abstract, or to discover on your own. That is why i believe students do not learn the significance of what they are learning. What if we did not have grades? Is there any other way to judge a students ability?
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I too found the banking concept idea to be pretty interesting; it was never something that I'd really stopped to think about before. I don’t think it is an effective way to learn--spending the entire class studying for the final test. I mean really? How is that efficient? How is it even education if it isn’t something you will retain or ever use again in your lifetime?
ReplyDeleteFor example, in AP English I learned to find a deeper meaning in what I read and how to write a two page essay about theme, tone and techniques used in great works of literature. However, when we get into the real world, though it may be interesting to know these things in such detail, when am I going to use these skills? Or when will knowing that the Grapes of Wrath references the book of Ecclesiastes help me in everyday situations? I guess if I’m ever on Jeopardy! it could be quite useful.
Now I’m not saying that AP classes are the devil, just in comparison to other knowledge we can gain without focusing everything on a test it can feel unproductive at times.
When I read the “Banking Concept” I had a really hard time not getting irritated with the idea. I think it is important to learn for, as Arin said, learning’s sake. Students learn from teachers, teachers learn from students. This is a relation that should be loved, yet why is it condemned by so many teachers?
PS: I know I didn’t really answer the questions Hunter asked because really I just can’t even think as abstractly as to picture an education system not built around standardizing.
PPS: Sorry I guess my reply got a little bit lengthy.