Sit-Down Exams are finally over! With reflections of course!

Finally, we have come to this part of our journey. The sit-down exams for this semester are finally over!

Reflecting on this journey reminds me of a critical perspective Boud and Soler (2016) outlined about assessments. Perhaps teachers and the education system in general should look at assessments that spans outside a particular programme or module. For them, the real test is on locating where in both formative and summative assessments, coupled with an orientation of how the knowledge can be a predictor of one's future learning requirements could then be an effecftive gauge of learning. 

There are indeed many assessments practices that have proliferated. Using my own experience in primary and secondary education, I experienced quarterly exams and mastery tests that seemed more of a memorisation test. Numerical ratings were the reflection of the our performance in each of these subjects. At the University of the Philippines, most of my exams tested my analytical and critical thinking skills, we were not allowed to bring notes or cheat sheets with us during the exams. It was completely different when I attended my programme in Singapore and now here in UK, where we are allowed to prepare cheat sheets or refer to our reading assignments during the test. 

Nevertheless, the most important quality of assessments is equity. We recognise that students do not necessarily perform well in just one type of assessment. And so we need to tap on our understanding of various cultural and personal circumstances that may affect a student's performance in an exam. Should we be giving standardised tests? Can we even diversify our formats and make it more reflective of the learners' needs? Should we consider portfolios and other learning artifacts as valid learning outputs rather than grades-based oral and written tests? 

So much questions. But for now, please give me some time to recover. 

Flashed those precious smiles of relief after the written exam. Now getting ready for 4 more essay assignments due next month.

Grateful for the learning space they provided to me inside the library to so I could participate in the final exams this semester.

Thank you very much, George for being my lifesaver. You are indeed heaven sent!

I was the first student who queued up in the library this morning. This was around 6:45 am, 30 minutes before the opening hours.