Thoughts on “Beware the straight-A student”
Doug Johnson recently wrote “Beware the straight-A student.”
Doug wonders….
if straight-A students are “demonstrating, not intelligence, but the ability to conform, to mindlessly follow instructions, to support the established order? Do truly original thinkers and creative problem-solvers get high grades in school?”
This reminded me of a situation I faced two years back in taking an online course designed for middle school science teachers. The course was in earth science and I have a strong back ground in the subject. On one assignment we were asked to discuss, how different rift valley systems may form. Most of the information provided in the course resource list was pretty basic so I decided to dig deeper and do a little research. I turned in my paper with references and was given a failing grade. I spoke with the instructor to who said the information I provided was not on the rubric she was given to evaluate the paper. I asked if she could review the resources and confirm my information, she did and I received an A. She did admonish me and ask that in the future I limit all my other work to the resources provide in the course and not to wander. I complied and received an A but did not learn a single new idea.
Maybe it is because I am getting older, have a ‘unique’ child, or am saddened by watching creative teachers lose their enthusiasm but I am getting more and more cynical about schooling. I am questioning more and more why we educator our children the way we do. It seems that if you are organized, follow directions and stick to the script you do well. But if you are distracted by other interests, question what is asked of you, and seek to try things differently you are non-compliant and a failure at school. I concur with Doug that this may be why change is harder in schools. Those that were the straight-A students are those who are running the system and very good at following the expectations set before them. Maybe we need the creative, distracted, risk takers to take a turn. But those individuals were not rewarded by the system they did not fit in, there may not be many who returned to work in formal education as adults.
I think my focus is being redirected from school and education towards learning and creativity. It is the latter I wish for my children. More and more I realize that they take place outside of school.
11 thoughts on “Thoughts on “Beware the straight-A student””
I agree with much about what you are saying in this entry. My thoughts, though, are about preparing our children for the reality of their future jobs. Many jobs do not allow creativity or independence, but only fitting into the standard mold. What do you think about this?
Growth and innovation are going to come from those that think outside of the box. If we loose this because we teach the majority of our students to be conformers, and test takers then how can we flourish as a nation and people. We all choose our work for different reasons. I know a women who chose to work at mentally low taxing job, just data entry. This job paid her bills, and allowed her to expend her creative energies in art, as a mural painter. I would rather we encourage our students to be thinkers, questioners, creative, and not just assignment completers. The more you know, the more you can do, the more options you have to find a work that fulfills your needs.
While I agree to a certain extent, I do think that school and education don’t have to automatically exclude learning and creativity. I do agree, however, that not everyone in the educational system necessarily knows how move away from that “mold”…
In regards to the first commenter… sure, some jobs do not allow for creativity and independence, but quite a bit of that is changing. I more and more hear about how breakthroughs are made coming from out-of-the-box thinkers that took some initiative and were able to find someone higher up that listened and accepted their ideas. However, if you automatically assume you will never be able to find a creative solution or be an independent worker, and never bother… well, nothing will change then.
I have teaching remorse. I teach advanced 3rd grade students for reading. Unfortunately, our reading program is highly-scripted, so the students are not allowed to move beyond what is written in the teacher’s edition. I feel like these students are not being challenged in the areas where they could be. Granted, school should not be centered around fun, but fun and social activities should be a part of the curriculum. Due to our reading structure, we focus on reading and math. Science has been forgotten. Art? What’s that? It’s sad and unfortunate. Thankfully, with the last 3o minutes of our reading block, I have the freedom to actually teach students. We have played with creative writing, free-form writing while listening to world music, and reading novels of various genres.
I think the original thinkers and problem-solvers do get high grades in school because they are smart enough to get what they need from the system. It doesn’t mean those students can’t use that creativity outside of school. The only problem is that they are not getting the practice they need in order to do that. I find where I am employed that certain instructors want students to stay inside the box because they themselves would have to be more creative and knowledgeable to grade those assignments. It’s easier when we know exactly what is in the box!
I think that as educators we are compelled to prepare students to be successful citizens. They will need to know that in some situations, following the directions and staying “inside the box” are required. Plain and simple. It is equally important, though, to teach and demonstrate that sometimes there can be a choice, and this is a great place to get creative. An earlier comment spoke about scripted lessons, and then using the time at the end of the block to explore other areas. Even though it may require more of me, I am hoping to create more lessons that offer options once the “requirements” are met. Since I teach technology, I look forward to learning from and with my students about its uses and all the new things that will come along.
I’m sorry, I hope my post is clear, I hit the submit button accidentally.
Sean
Beth,
I believe that free thinking, and innovation as a skill set to be taught to our children is being “outsourced” to the Parents and our great prestigious universities.
My wife and I have realized this in our community, and have taken on this resposiblity with our children. Could this issue be in response to how it is rumored in the media that we are creating an “elitist society”? What I mean, if you can’t afford to send your children to institutions that foster free thinking (with a great amount of conforming) and innovative “thinking out of the box”, then your child will be educated according to what’s required.
Sean
I think that teachers should not be so close minded within their students creativity. The teachers should want the student to explore and teach their own selves how to do things, just like you did in your first paper. I think that sometimes teachers get into a comfort level where they want things done a certain way, because that is what they are used to. But in the end, the student isn’t learning anything without doing and learning what is expected of them on their own. If all teachers were just a little more open to the idea of their students thinking outside of the box I think we would see an advancement in the creativity aspect of our students.
Emily,
I believe teachers have great intentions and a desire to foster creativity. The demands of testing, administration, regulations and time all work against this and over time the focus moves toward more fact based content. I can hear Joe Friday saying “just the facts, ma’ am.” It is the very special educator who can resist these and continue to foster learning, passion, wonder and creativity.
I am finding that as a future teacher that a lot concerns with teacher deal with testing and administration. It can take the air out of some students who want to be teachers but its just a truth that we need to deal with