Author Archives: mfrancis30

Research Project- Ungrading

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   We have all heard this question asked at least once in grade school. “Is this going to be on the test?”, if the teacher said yes, you probably wrote the information; if the professor said “No” chances are, you didn’t write it down. The traditional a,b,c,d,f grading system, has made students shallow learners, unmotivated students to learn, and is causing more harm than good.  We have talked about in class how this vague way of grading affects students. This grading system promotes students cutting corners to getting the best grade, instead of taking the time to learn the information.

   Students once or twice, have cut corners to get a good grade. Whether it was simply taking an easier project to do or taking an easier course for a better GPA. In the video “Why grades shouldn’t exist”, Professor Alfie Kohn says “We don’t have to have grades. Research shows that grades have three effects; one, they make students less interested in whatever they are learning for a grade. Two, they become less likely to pick something more difficult. After all, if the point is to get an “A”, you’re gonna choose the shortest book or the easiest project, because that makes it more likely you’ll get the “A”. Three, when students are graded, they tend to do things in a more shallow or superficial fashion. They’re less likely to really push and reflect…”. Professor Alfie Kohn explains in his quote why grades are leading students to become shallow.

   Instead of students being categorized by using the same way, factories have been grading their chunks of meat, students should be graded by truly being assessed. With a shallow grading system, like most schools around the USA has, it’s no wonder why the students in the system are being taught, how to be just as shallow. Students should be assessed by finding what level learner you’re currently, finding their strengths and weaknesses and how they can improve. Not represented by numbers and not represented by a vague letter. In the scholarly article “The changing of landscape of grading systems in US higher education” says “Furthermore, it may be time that we reconsider the value of higher education and begin to focus more on the process than the outcome.”. Letter grades and GPAs focus on the outcome of the student, not at all on the student’s commitment and progression. The traditional US grading system doesn’t show the sleepless nights of studying, it doesn’t show how much time and effort a student has put in. Letter grades just show how good a student is at taking tests. Students start prioritizing how to get good grades instead of being curious and learning, like higher education is meant for.

   The traditional grading system can also lead to harm. It can cause students to be unethical and start cheating in higher education. It is well known that cheating only cheats students out of the information that could be learned, but grades are prioritized instead of learning so students’ cheat. Students that take the time the study will get lower grades than students who cheat. That causes more students to cheat.  The grading system wires students to think that grades are more important rather than the actual information taught. Students forget why they really go to school. Not to get grades, not to go to the most prestigious schools to get good grades, the purpose is to learn and use your curiosity.

Some professors believe if there were no grades then students then students wouldn’t prioritize their work. This is a form of coercion. Forcing students to be graded so that they learn about topics they have no personal interest in. Professor Alfie Kohn from the “Why Grades shouldn’t exist” video, believes that skilled professors are able to get students interested in topics without having to force grades on them. Professor Kohn does not agree with students being bribed into learning with grades.

   Students should be taught how to be curious, and how to integrate that curiosity into the real world. Students should have a desire to learn, so they get satisfaction from it rather than getting good grades. The traditional grading system does more harm than good, students lose the desire to learn and be curious. In order to stop students from being shallow, you have to change the shallow system.

 

Works cited

 

Steven B. Kleinman, Mary Beth Leidman & Andrew J. Longcore (2018) The
changing landscape of grading systems in US higher education, Perspectives: Policy and Practice
in Higher Education, 22:1, 26-33, DOI: 10.1080/13603108.2017.1279692

https://doi.org/10.1080/13603108.2017.1279692

 

“Why grades shouldn’t exist.”. Youtube, uploaded by “Fiddlestick Productions”                                                                                                                   21 Feb 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfRALeA3mdU&t=19s

Paragon International University

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Paragon International University “postGRADUATE PROSPECTUS”

Summary

Paragon International University is a private nonprofit University founded, May 18, 2010, in Phenom Penn, Cambodia. It has been accredited by the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia and the Royal government of Cambodia, which has led it to be a very selective institution. The young university perfect for students in Cambodia that care about their education, their community, and want a successful career in engineering, business, or agriculture.

Analysis

            The Paragon International University uses Imagining Ideal Readers and the Rhetorical style Ethos strategies. The purpose of the Universities website was to interest students from Cambodia and around the world to go to their university. They have many success stories posted on their website from former and current students that go to the university to inspire possible students to come to their university. PIU has many programs and resources available to students. The University also states that one of their core values is community service. The Universities lectures are all typically professors that have a PHD or at least have a master’s degree and teaching experience from around the world. This shows that the University is looking for readers that will be not only interested in their higher education and career path but also care to be active in the Cambodian community.

            The Paragon International University reads they, “Provide capacity building for students in all education and training programs to equip them with entrepreneurship and innovation skills, inquiry-based learning, cross-cultural competence, employability skills and a sense of social responsibility” (PIU “About mission”). This quote supports Imagining Ideal Readers, the University is looking for students that are looking to take advantage of their career services and programs. The Institution also collaborates with universities around the world to get their students the best education their students can get. On the website it also reads “Engage partners outside of traditional university borders to promote economic development and to make a positive impact in Cambodia and the region through collaborative projects” (PIU “About goals”). In case a student was wondering on the credentials of the professors, PIU states on their “Why Paragon University?” page “Lecturers are qualified and experienced professors who received their degrees from reputable universities around the globe. They typically have a Ph.D. in their field or at least a master’s degree with teaching/professional experience. Paragon.U boasts its body of diverse faculty members and staff over 10 different nationalities from America, Europe, and Asia.” (PIU “Why Paragon University?”), so a student can be confident they are being taught by some of the best professors in the world. This is a Imagining Ideal Readers strategy. Another quote that supports a Imagining Ideal Readers strategy is being used is, “The Office of Student Services (OSS) caters to those who further the mission and curriculum of Paragon International University. This is accomplished with academic counseling, support, and discipline to promote an ethos of intellectual freedom based on mutual respect, integrity, and solid expectations of manifold achievement—academic, spiritual, as well as professional.” (PIU “Student Services”). The quote shows that the Institution has programs that will not only help the students academically but also guide students and give them a sense of community. This caters to students that would be interested in these programs.

 

            Paragon International University on their about page say, “Paragon International University strives to become a leading private higher education provider in Cambodia in terms of quality of teaching, research, and community services.” (PIU “About vision”). This is an Imagining Ideal Readers and Ethos strategy. PIU is interested in students that want to be involved in their quality of teaching and students that are interested in providing for the Cambodian community. Also the PIU website it says “Student Council is a group of elected and volunteer students working together with an adult advisor within the framework of a constitution or bylaws to provide a means for student expression and assistance in school affairs and activities, give opportunities for student experience in leadership and encourage student, faculty and community relations.” (PIU “Student Services”). This supports the Rhetoric Style Ethos and Imagining Ideal Readers. This is because the University shows the students that they care about the students voices and supports students who want to be leaders.

Paragon International University “CSR Charity Trip” 2019-2020

Response

            Would I personally go to this college? Most definitely. The royal accredited University collaborates with universities around the world. In the PIU program, after two years of college at the Khmer campus you can transfer to any of the partnered Universities. Whether it’s for higher education or internship programs. All the professors either have a PHD or master’s degree and teaching experience so I’d know I’d be receiving a good education.

Another reason I’d like to go to Paragon is because they are active in the community. Whether it’s taking care of it by giving food the less fortunate or being in touch with the Cambodian culture. Students can request to make their own clubs, participate in a variety of sports, or be tutored by their peers. They have many programs to make all students feel welcomed and create a community that the students can feel comfortable in.

Paragon International also has many resources to students such as housing, local transportation, meal plans, books and school supplies, a cell phone plan, and laundry cleaning. This is extremely useful in Cambodia since it’s a third world country and people may not have access to various necessities. The University provides academic support, a career center, information about alumni affairs, and student club and cultural activities.

Paragon International University “Traditional Khmer Dance Club”

Sources

https://paragoniu.edu.kh/

https://paragoniu.edu.kh/portfolio/csr-charity-trip-2019-2020/

https://paragoniu.edu.kh/current-students/student-clubs/

Academic Evaluation of Logan Minter

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     Logan Minter is a second semester freshmen at GSU from Virginia. She takes care of all her responsibilities in and out of school, passionate about her learning, can work outside of her comfort zone, and plans on either being a travel nurse or a labor and delivery nurse.

     After graduating from Westside High School in Virginia, Minter decided to move to Georgia for better opportunities. She lives with her older sister Haley who has also been her biggest motivator. Minter just like Haley enjoys anything science related. Haley received her Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University and plans on receiving her master’s degree from George Mason University.

     A typical school day for Minter, isn’t an average college student school day. She drives about 20+ miles to get to school, goes to her three classes, drives back home to take a nap, studies for her classes, babysits her six and two-year-old niece and nephew until Haley comes home, and then goes to work. Although Minter has a lot of responsibilities and is far from home, and she still takes care of all of them inside and outside of school. But of course, there are always the ups and inevitable downs in college.

     Logan’s first disappointment in college was failing her first semester math class. She was working, taking a full schedule of classes, missed a few weeks after having to go out of town with her family, had car problems that caused her to not have transportation and ultimately fail the class. Even though failing the class hurt and she dislikes math, this didn’t discourage her from her academics and responsibilities. She evaluated her first semester and decided she needed to bring it down to three classes her second semester. She decided that she needed to allow herself more time to put more effort into her classes. The goal she had for this semester was just simply understanding all the information she is being taught, so she started paying more attention to the professor, taking notes, and making it to all her classes on time.

     Like most people do after being far from their home, Logan gets homesick. She misses her biggest supporters, her grandmother and mother back home in Virginia. However, this doesn’t stop her from taking care of her responsibilities. She can be outside of her comfort zone and accomplish her goals. It took courage and strength to decide to move to another state.

            Minter is not an average US student nor is she an ideal student, but she takes the steps she believes are necessary to real her goals. Minter’s academic character shows progression despite all the downs she’s been through. Progression is not only how to become an ideal student but how to grow as a person as well.