How students are punished for thinking differently

read time | 4 minutes
who |  Thato Kakole

Picture this: You miss your friend who lives on the other side of the world, so you try to text them. You have your phone but it's not an iPhone (so iMessage is not an option). You insist that iMessage is the only way to reach them. You dismiss any other messaging platforms like email, Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, so you only speak with them once they come to visit. 

Limiting how we connect with others would be ridiculous when there are multiple alternative ways to communicate. However, that's what we do when we test students academically. If a student gives answers outside the confines of the rubrics and answer keys, defined by the school curriculum, we penalize them even if the solution works.

How answer keys and rubrics shape learning

Simply put, answer keys are a list of the right answers to questions found in tests, assignments, homework, etc. Answer keys make grading assessments quick and easy. They are useful when grading questions that have one clear answer but become quite limiting when providing solutions to more open-ended questions.

Rubrics are like academic scorecards used by teachers to guide students, and by students to understand teacher expectations. Teachers use rubrics by comparing the students’ assignments to see to what extent their assignments meet expectations. Still, rubrics might not fully reflect how well a student has grasped certain concepts.

Why answer keys and rubrics limit learning

Answer keys encourage students to cram and regurgitate coursework in tests and exams, do as little as it takes to meet the requirements, play it safe, and avoid thinking creatively by:

• Encouraging outdated learning methods: Answer keys encourage students to cram and regurgitate coursework in tests and exams. Memorization is important for learning, but its importance is overemphasized. What is more important is that learners understand how to apply these concepts practically. Many language courses, for instance, focus on grammar and syntax rules rather than building vocabulary and pronunciation, leaving students with a basic understanding of the language but unable to actually speak it. 

• Suppressing critical thinking and creativity: It's like cooking. Everyone knows there's more than one way to make a meal. No one is forced to follow a recipe perfectly. An extra dash of salt or a splash of that does no harm. Just as long as the desired result is reached: a great-tasting dish. Similarly, students should be allowed to use alternative methods for solving problems if they struggle with the typical method. For example, using partial quotient division instead of long division should be allowed if the student's answer is correct.

• Leaving students unprepared for real-life problem solving: Answer keys and rubrics give a false sense that there is one clear-cut answer to every situation. The truth is that we never know what life will throw at us. A survey by ResumeTemplates.com found that 42% of hiring managers found Gen Z is not ready for the demands of the workplace. Some of these managers' reasons for their thinking were the typical and cheesy “this new generation is lazy and entitled” responses that we hear all the time. However, some of these managers said that they felt like Gen Z lacked adaptability skills, and to an extent that opinion holds some weight. 

Let’s make education more flexible. Try these:

• Redesign the traditional rubric: Rubrics can be helpful when they are carefully designed and well thought through. Rubrics should include criteria that assess the thinking and approach to completing assignments and not just the results. Did the students explore different methods? Did they question assumptions? A redesigned rubric would place emphasis on how well students analyze information, generate ideas, and apply logical reasoning. By doing this, students will be forced to engage with the theory rather than just memorize it.

• Leave room for open-ended questioning: Make a shift from rigid answer keys and opt for grading guidelines that will allow educators to award students points for the different solutions they will come up with. Educators should also hear their students out by allowing them to explain their reasoning and demonstrate understanding, even if it differs from the traditional approach. This way teachers can better know the students' grasp of the curriculum, identify any gaps in their learning and students can practice the art of problem-solving independently.

• Encourage real-world application of knowledge: Grading should be used to assess how well students can apply their knowledge to new and unexpected scenarios. Whether it’s solving math problems, using real-world examples, or applying historical lessons to modern-day issues, students should be encouraged to think about how what they’re learning fits into a larger context. I always say that if I were wiser in college, I would have used what I learned from my Media Studies class to build my brand instead of cramming info just to make it through tests and exams. 

Ultimately,  rubrics should focus on creativity, critical thinking, and effort and make grading a tool for growth rather than a rigid evaluation of right or wrong answers. By rewarding the learning process and encouraging students to think critically and creatively, education can better prepare them for the real-world challenges they will face outside the classroom.