I’ve written before about my belief that exams are generally a poor way to review a person’s knowledge about a subject. I’m still holding tight to that belief, as it was recently reinforced when I watched a documentary about Finland’s education system.
In 1968, Finland’s system changed when parliament introduced legislation introducing a new comprehensive school system, replacing a two-tiered system of civic schools and grammar schools.
They decided to abolish exams completely and teach their students how to learn properly. In middle school, the focus is on games, group reading, and creativity. Once in high school, the focus on creativity will continue, and when Finnish students reach high school, they have all read a great deal.
All students will have the same education, as well—there’s no difference between schools. All schools are public and each student goes to school in whichever district they live, regardless of their family’s wealth and status.
This all sounds different, and strange, and wonderful.
I feel strongly about this subject because exams are hard for me. I have the after-effects of a traumatic brain injury from my early ’20s, and have ADD. However, give me a paper to write and I will kick serious ass, plus that information will resonate and stick better in my brain if I’m researching it and writing about it rather than trying to memorize terms and dates. I’ve tried all sorts of tricks for exam studying—tutors, flashcards, at-home quizzes—but when the time comes to sit and vomit out a bunch of newly stored info, my anxiety and lack of ability to memorize always prevail.
The thing is, I study hard. I complete assignments and participate in classes with everything I’ve got. So why should I continue getting screwed over at exam time?
I firmly believe that exams are not a good way to show what students have learned. They are one method, entirely based on one type of thinking.
I think that we, as forward-thinking Canadians, should try to do something new and see what prevails.