How can teachers evaluate student performance? The answer lies in a well-structured examination system that doesn’t just focus on checking the subject knowledge but also determines how far they have progressed academically. But it would not be wrong to state that for the longest time, institutes followed a one-dimensional approach, wherein the focus had been singularly on examining their course knowledge and students’ grades.
So, naturally, rote memorization became a common practice among the student population; they sought to memorize the study materials and deliver them during the tests. In the long run, this practice does not add value to students’ learning experience as it momentarily helps to remember facts.
Additionally, they are incapable of retaining information, and without knowing the practical application of what they have learned, they face difficulty in the future. However, the institutes had to shift from traditional practices and adopt innovative approaches like online assessments that used several types of questions to analyze student outcomes.
Still, it would be interesting to see the difference between traditional and standard-based grading systems, so have a look below:
| Traditional grading system | Standard-based grading system |
| The teachers follow the long followed process of issuing grades based on the percentage the students have attained. Also, this includes their homework, efforts in the class towards various activities, etc. | In the standard-based grading system, examination reports and grades indicate something much more cumulative. Besides, it determines if students’ learning capabilities are in sync with the learning outcomes. |
| Students receive grades for each subject, area, course, or program. | Subject areas are strategically subdivided into a list of skills and knowledge that students need to attain. Also, if the institute implements a unique student-centric approach, it would allow students to master skills at their pace. After that, teachers can score each skill on the aforementioned list separately. |
| Teachers combine several components, such as test scores, homework, quizzes, and classroom participation, to assign grades to students. | On the other hand, in a standards-based grading system, teachers view all the elements separately. As a result, it allows teachers and parents to identify crucial areas that still need improvement. |
| Teachers average the grades that students earn throughout the marking period to calculate a report card grade. Also, if a particular student receives a poor grade in any of the subjects, it affects the student’s overall grades. | During the report marking period, the goal is to determine the student’s progress. It also helps teachers to gain a better understanding of students learning capabilities which differ from student to student. |
| It is easy for parents and students to understand the traditional grading system. Moreover, it is indicative of individual teacher expectations and instruction. | The standard-based grading system can be implemented smoothly in the online examination system. Furthermore, teachers can use this grading system to detect the proficiency levels of each standard. Thereby helping them to develop an appropriate instructional methodology. As a result, they would get greater clarity in terms of planning and designing better student learning plans. |
| The traditional grading system enables students to study hard, irrespective of understanding the subject material or retaining knowledge. | It lays equal emphasis on student achievements and identifies where students level in regard to curriculum expectations.
Teachers continuously identify learning targets and reinforce them throughout the educational activities. Simultaneously, it allows teachers, students, and their parents to keep track of learning objectives that have been accomplished and those that are yet to. |
Benefits of Using MasterSoft’s Online Assessment Platform-
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Automates Entire Process-
The online software automates the entire process of exam management and assessment. It enables creating question papers online, sending invites to the students over one click, and evaluating students’ performance after the test.
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Enables Remote Examination-
The online system facilitates remote examination and enables the institutes to offer e-learning programs and distance learning courses for students located at remote locations.
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Reduces Faculty Workload-
The system reduces faculty workload by automating all the tasks and conducting monotonous tasks efficiently and accurately.
In Conclusion
Each system has its advantages, but as the global educational system shifted towards a better and more dynamic approach, most HEIs has been integrating standards-based grading system. Besides, the most relevant reasons relate to the fact that the system focuses on students’ achievements, and encourages teachers to inculcate standard-based learning problem-solving skills and social skills, etc.
