Students spend the majority of our waking hours in a classroom where we slog through seemingly endless piles of homework and interminable lectures. While most students are attentive in class, they may occasionally wonder, "What’s the point of learning this?". Grades are what most students look to when inquiring about the practical value of what we learn in school.
Grades are indicators of understanding NOT knowledge.
It may be argued that the only purpose of our grades is to satisfy universities and indicate our levels of comprehension; this can create looming mindsets that many students can have about their G.P.A or their grades in general. For example, when someone gets a low mark on a math test or project they may conclude that those who scored higher must naturally have a greater understanding of mathematics; this is not the case at all, as even pupils who have achieved a higher grade point average still have room for development.
However in the absence of grading, we would have no idea of our strengths and areas of improvement in a certain subject area. Take a real-world example—performance reviews are a commonplace in many real-world occupations, including office-based ones, and are focused on how well and effectively an individual is carrying out the duties of their job; without them, it's impossible for workers to know where they can improve their service and where they need to focus their efforts to advance in their careers.
Problem solving in math and in social circles.
Problem-solving skills are one of many things that children learn throughout their school years; hence they are constantly expected to make quick decisions in a wide range of academic and especially social settings. The initial steps in problem-solving strategies often taught are to name issues and generate potential solutions to friendships or turning in an assignment on time. As a result, students adapt more creative and innovative approaches to challenges; which is one of the many benefits of rewarding this practice. Another reward is that people can foster a frame of mind that aids them in problem-solving during times of stress and uncertainty in the workplace.
Asking “Why?”.
This article began with a question and it’s also how it will end. Students are encouraged to consistently challenge what they are being taught, even after they have mastered the topic. Even when generating ideas for a science project or applying the finishing touches to a work of art, critical thinking is essential to the advancement of learning. This prepares students to become independent thinkers, who will pursue careers in which they can contribute their ideas. Therefore, we are encouraged to challenge everything that is taught.
Recap.
Three of the many life skills we acquire in school were covered in detail. While many may still dispute the utility of what is being taught in classrooms, there is no denying the importance of education. It goes without saying that it would be difficult to do so without the ability to successfully question a system, or to be an independent thinker, and solve issues with a specific objective in mind. The goal of this article was to highlight a few of the many topics that are taught to us in school but frequently overlooked because they play such a significant but simple role in our actual lives.
