Author Archives: ahamidi1

Major Project 3

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Summary

University of Califonia, San Diego was Founded in 1960 and enrolled its first undergraduates in 1964. Nevertheless, the campus can trace its origins as far back as the late 1800s. UCSD is a public university that offers everyone opportunities and concentrates on its students, research, and service missions. One of the top fifteen research universities in the world, it fosters a culture of collaboration that leads to advancements in society and economic effects. The ideal student should want to represent substantial academic achievement and be able to explore the world with a fresh perspective. The college’s website uses Purpose and Imagining Ideal Readers as rhetorical strategies. The university is renowned for its demanding academic programs and consistently ranks among the best public universities in the United States. Over 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees in various disciplines, including science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts, are available at UCSD. The faculty at the institution includes some of the top researchers and academics in their disciplines, and they offer students a top-notch education that prepares them for their future jobs. 

Analysis

UC San Diego attracts their ideal students by making their purpose transparent and imagining what type of readers would reach its website. UCSD aims to transform California and build a multicultural, global society via public service, knowledge creation, and dissemination. Students also have access to cutting-edge research resources and facilities at UCSD. The institution is home to more than 100 research institutes and facilities, including the UCSD Medical Center, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. These institutions allow students to conduct cutting-edge research, collaborate with world-class academics, and advance scientific knowledge. The first thing the audience sees when they enter the website is a banner that says, “We merge disciplines and surpass expectations, empowering students to think creatively across boundaries, resulting in unimagined discoveries.”(UCSD 1). UCSD’s goal with this statement is to convince the audience that anyone can surpass their limits, and by combining disciplines, anyone can exceed expectations. UCSD wants students who are curious and willing to change this world. They are not afraid to take a chance on an unlikely idea because, to them, any view counts.

“College is more than studying”(UCSD 1). This statement can be found on UCSD’s Students Life page. This shows the readers that there is more to do at the campus besides innovating and researching. “Life at UC San Diego is about activating your passions.” (UCSD 1). They want their students to have fun, stay active, gain skills, and make friends through extracurricular activities and events. UCSD’s mission is to consistently build an inclusive community that fosters welfare and success and engages students with the desire and abilities to make a significant difference in the world through programs, campus collaborations, and placemaking. UCSD makes a living on campus as comfortable as possible. They want to draw readers interested in larger campuses, more entertainment, and more experiences. A typical day in a student’s life would be: Roll out of bed. Walk to class. Lunch with friends. Quick nap. Afternoon lecture. Sunset surfing at the beach. Study session with suitemates. Movie night in the lounge. The university is in La Jolla, a gorgeous coastal town with outstanding beaches, well-known restaurants, and a bustling arts scene. Numerous high-tech businesses in La Jolla offer students the chance to participate in internship and work-study programs.“A place of belonging”(UCSD 1). UCSD is also diverse in terms of culture, and they have a proactive approach to creating a friendly environment for everyone.

Regarding imagining ideal readers, UC San Diego seeks students interested in advancing research and innovating new inventions for the world. They are also seeking students that can come up with fresh ideas that can be translated into solutions to benefit society– from climate science and the human microbiome to nanotechnology and social mobility. Getting accepted into this university is complex, and it is obvious that they are looking for outstanding students. According to the records, the acceptance rate for 2022 was between 24% to 34%. Also, in 2022, it was recorded that only about 31,000 students were accepted out of 131,000 applicants. Readers that are ideal at UCSD go above and beyond the classroom to use their potential to change the world for the better. “At UC San Diego, we’ve broken out of traditional academic silos to assemble cross-disciplinary, flexible research teams with a common purpose: to further our understanding of how the world works and the actions we can take to make it a better place.”(UCSD 1). UC San Diego visions their ideal readers as someone willing to help improve their research to solve world problems such as global warming and climate change.

Response

The university’s website and efforts to communicate its objectives to its audience were successful. I read everything with understanding and pleasure. The information on the university’s homepage enhanced my knowledge of it. Attending and studying at UCSD is a privilege for most students because they are the following people to improve the minor struggles in this world. With UCSD’s tools and opportunities, students can do real-world research and get a close-up view of things. Students can participate in a wide range of majors, extracurriculars, clubs, and groups, allowing them to learn more about college life, get experience, and access additional resources for their research. The campus also offers several activities and clubs that I find interesting. I would very much enjoy studying and excelling in my major at UCSD. I can continue my education and graduate to receive top job positions. There is nothing much to dislike about UCSD, and I want to see what future these students will bring to the world. These factors make UCSD a top option for students seeking a top-notch education and a rewarding college experience.

 

University of California, San Diego. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from http://www.ucsd.edu/

Major Project 4

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Ali Hamidi

ENGL 1102

Professor: Rebecca Weaver, PhD

April 19, 2023

Are standardized tests effective in determining a student’s aptitude and academic performance? 

Introduction

In 1905, French psychologist Alfred Binet developed a standardized test to measure the intelligence of children, known as the Binet-Simon Scale. This test was the first to use standardized procedures for administration and scoring, and it established the foundation for future developments in standardized testing. Standardized tests measure student aptitude and academic performance in schools worldwide. These exams objectively assess a student’s knowledge and abilities in particular subject areas. The results are frequently used to make crucial educational decisions like selecting students for admission to colleges and universities, giving scholarships, and gauging the effectiveness of teachers and schools. However, there is disagreement among educators, decision-makers, and parents over how well-standardized exams measure students’ aptitude and academic success. In this paper, we will evaluate the pros and cons of the effectiveness of standardized tests in determining a student’s aptitude and academic performance.

Discussion

An article titled “Standardized Testing Pros and Cons – Does It Improve Education?” discusses the pros of standardized testing in detail. One of the pros listed is that “Standardized tests offer an objective measurement of education and a good metric to gauge areas for improvement.” this articulates that standardized testing completes its job in some way to measure what students need to improve. The ability to monitor student performance objectively is one of the significant benefits of standardized testing. Standardized tests are created to be fair and consistent, in contrast to teacher evaluations, which can be subjective and open to bias. To determine areas where students might need more help, educators might compare student performance across schools and districts. Standardized testing also has the benefit of holding educators accountable for their student’s academic progress. Another advantage is “Allows for comparisons of student performance across different schools, districts, and states, providing valuable data for policy-making and resource allocation.” which means that policymakers can motivate academic institutions and instructors to concentrate on enhancing student outcomes by linking money and other resources to test scores. This is particularly crucial in underprivileged places where pupils might not have access to the same resources as their counterparts who live in wealthier neighborhoods.

However, there are also some disadvantages, and some argue that standardized testing doesn’t measure education quality. The article “Standardized Testing Pros and Cons – Does It Improve Education?”, talks about the cons of standardized testing. One of the listed advantages is that “Standardized tests only determine which students are good at taking tests, offer no meaningful measure of progress, and have not improved student performance.” this articulates that many factors, including hunger, stress, and tiredness, easily influence test scores. The tests merely highlight which students are best at studying for and passing the exams and do not reveal any potential knowledge gaps. One of the main complaints of these exams is that they prioritize rote memorization and test-taking abilities above creative problem-solving and critical thinking. This may result in a constrained curriculum emphasizing exam preparation over more profound learning opportunities. In the article “What Standardized Tests Do Not Measure” by Peter Murrell Jr., he says, “Much recent research on intelligence and human cognitive development suggests that standardized tests are not valid as measures of excellence or scholastic aptitude.” Schools that place an excessive emphasis on standardized exams and “test-wise” instruction expose kids to ways of thinking that not only devalue knowledge but are also entirely unrelated to addressing problems in the real world. Finally, there is a worry that standardized tests could maintain current educational inequities. Due to variables like poverty or a lack of resources, which can widen success inequalities, students from disadvantaged families may be less likely to perform well on these exams. Furthermore, schools will likely concentrate on boosting test scores at the expense of other crucial subjects like the arts or physical education.

One great example that Peter Murrell discussed in his article is that, for instance, let’s say a child takes the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test, a nationally recognized assessment of reading proficiency, and has trouble blending letter sounds. Even though this test gives precise diagnostic data, it does not provide the child with the knowledge required to correct the learning processes that have gone wrong due to her inability to blend. In reality, many of the abilities necessary for success on standardized tests are ones we would never consider teaching students. Think of problem-solving skills. The ability to identify and describe an issue, acquire pertinent information, and work on it until they are confident they have found the best answer is something we want students to be able to do. In sharp contrast, standardized examinations urge students to choose the best response and move on without knowing whether the answer is accurate to “ready-made” problems with little to nothing to do with their real-life experience. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Using standardized exams to assess students’ aptitude and academic achievement is a contentious topic with solid arguments on both sides. Standardized exams have the potential to reveal important information about student accomplishment. Still, to provide a more complete and accurate picture of a student’s capabilities, they should be utilized in concert with other student learning and growth indicators. Additionally, to increase the usefulness of standardized exams for enhancing educational results, policymakers and educators should aim to overcome their potential biases and unfavorable effects. However, critics contend that standardized tests can be unfair, support a limited curriculum, and promote teaching to the test. Additionally, there are worries that stress and anxiety brought on by standardized testing may harm students’ mental health and well-being. In the end, even though standardized testing might yield some vital information, it should be utilized with other student learning indicators rather than serving as the only barometer of student achievement or teacher effectiveness.

Sources

Naughton, James “Testocracy: The Undemocratic System of Standardized Testing in the United States” Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy, Vol. 31, Issue 2 (Spring 2022), pp. 263-296

Popham, W. James. “Why Standardized Tests Don’t Measure Educational Quality.” ASCD, https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/why-standardized-tests-dont-measure-educational-quality 

Murrell, Peter, and Peter Murrell. “What Standardized Tests Do Not Measure.” Rethinking Schools, 6 Sept. 2021, https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/what-standardized-tests-do-not-measure/#:~:text=Much%20recent%20research%20on%20intelligence,of%20excellence%20or%20scholastic%20aptitude. 

“Standardized Testing Pros and Cons – Does It Improve Education?” Standardized Tests, 17 Feb. 2022, https://standardizedtests.procon.org/

Major project 3

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Summary

University of Califonia, San Diego was Founded in 1960 and enrolled its first undergraduates in 1964. Nevertheless, the campus can trace its origins as far back as the late 1800s. UCSD is a public university that offers everyone opportunities and concentrates on its students, research, and service missions. One of the top fifteen research universities in the world, it fosters a culture of collaboration that leads to advancements in society and economic effects. The ideal student should want to represent substantial academic achievement and be able to explore the world with a fresh perspective. The college’s website uses Purpose and Imagining Ideal Readers as rhetorical strategies.

Analysis

UC San Diego attracts their ideal students by making their purpose transparent and imagining what type of readers would reach its website. UCSD’s goal is to transform California and build a multicultural, global society via public service, knowledge creation, and dissemination. The first thing the audience sees when they enter the website is a banner that says “We merge disciplines and surpass expectations, empowering students to think creatively across boundaries, resulting in unimagined discoveries.”(UCSD 1). UCSD’s goal with this statement is to convince the audience that anyone can go beyond their limits, and by combining disciplines, anyone can surpass expectations. UCSD wants students that are curious and willing to make a change in this world. They are not afraid to take a chance on an unlikely idea because to them any idea counts.

“College is more than studying”(UCSD 1). This statement can be found on UCSD’s Students Life page. This shows the readers that there is more to do at the campus besides innovating and researching. “Life at UC San Diego is about activating your passions.” (UCSD 1). They want their students to have fun, stay active, gain skills, and make friends through extracurricular activities and events. UCSD’s mission is to  Consistently work to build an inclusive community that fosters welfare and success and engages students with the desire and abilities to make a significant difference in the world, through programs, campus collaborations, and placemaking. UCSD makes a living on campus as comfortable as possible. They want to draw readers who are interested in larger campuses, more entertainment, and more experiences. A typical day in a student’s life would be: Roll out of bed. Walk to class. Lunch with friends. Quick nap. Afternoon lecture. Sunset surfing at the beach. Study session with suitemates. Movie night in the lounge. “A place of belonging”(UCSD 1). UCSD is also diverse in terms of culture and they have a proactive approach to creating a friendly environment for everyone.

Academic Profile: Glae Paw

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Glae Paw was initially born in Thailand and was part of a refugee group before she came to the USA. She was born on July 2, 2006, and is 16 years old. Her parents are from a village on the border of Thailand. Glae moved to America in 2012, so she spent more time here than in her own country. From kindergarten to 2-grade, she went to Indian Creek Elementary. Later, she transferred to a charter school at International Community School during 3rd grade. From 3rd to 5th grade, soccer became one of her hobbies, and she enjoyed it more than school. Glae attended GSU as a dual enrollment student in her 11th-grade year in high school. Based on the definition of the academic self, Glae describes herself as creative, curious, and persevering.

Glae thinks of herself as creative because she feels that everyone has this trait as them like it’s self-built. Anyone can be creative in various circumstances, but she feels her originality is most evident in the classroom. When working on practical undertakings or writing fiction, Glae frequently exhibits greater creativity. Glae completed numerous tasks in her previous academic years, including crafts. In middle and high school, Glae would use boxes to create the water cycle or biomes, and she would use clay or styrofoam to make the cells and their parts. These initiatives, according to Glae, require inventiveness, which she demonstrated when dealing with it. Being given the task of writing a story was familiar to Glae after each grade. Yet, whenever Glae is given an assignment, she always thinks of something different, something beyond imagination or something within realism. Glae feels that her environment and surroundings influence her creativity.

Curiosity is another quality Glae identified with her academic persona. For Glae, there is a fresh experience at every grade. When Glae transitioned from elementary to middle school, she encountered new readings, math challenges, and writing assignments. Math problems that previously required adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing integers progress to equations and properties that are more complicated. Many constraints constrained the narrative writing that Glae used to do to particular types of writing, such as narrative poems or various forms of poetry in general. As Glae reads about new topics, she can also expand her expertise. These shifts increase her interest as she is exposed to unique learning circumstances. When Glae is in a new or different class, she gets curious about the various teachings, strategies, and modes of instruction. She also believes that curiosity is a quality that comes naturally to everyone. She felt foreign at that moment because of the various educational levels she had completed, which led her to imagine what it would be like in that situation. Glae has been exposed to a different learning environment even up to this point, which causes me to wonder and reflect.

These traits are how Glae would evaluate her academic self to be. Glae explores her surroundings with wonder as she navigates the ever-changing educational environment. This sparks her thoughts and questions regarding the future’s prospects and expectations. She is also prompted to wonder and ponder, which helps her acquire knowledge and experience that she could use later. Additionally, Glae is developing her perseverance abilities due to the ongoing changes. Glae must be able to grasp the earlier lessons and make an effort to comprehend the classes she is currently taking because each subject’s information builds on what she has already learned. There may be changes in new teaching material, but she feels like it shouldn’t stop or discourage her from progressing. The school has also allowed her to show creativity through arts, construction, and questioning within the different levels of its adjustments.

During the DelbancoCollege reading, the sentences that stood out to her were during the Introduction (pg.2, paragraph 2) “the criteria we use to assess the quality of college- number of publication by its faculty, size of the endowment, selectivity in admission, rule of alumni giving, even graduation rates- tell very little about what it does for its students.” It stood out to her because she felt like those characteristics had always been what she centered and surrounded herself during school environment, and then suddenly reading about how it “tells little about what it does” seemed surprising. Another sentence that stood out to her was (pg 3, paragraph 2) “A college should be a place where young people find themselves navigating the territory between adolescence and adulthood. It should provide guidance, not coercion, as students find their way to self-knowledge.” This sentence stood out to Glae because she agreed with the statement. Glae felt that college should be where she could explore her interests.

Citation

Delbanco, Andrew. College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2014. 

Rebecca Weaver, Ph.D.; Major Project #1 (Academic Profile) February 2023, GSU Perimeter Campus

– Glae Paw