There are three types of learners: those that have an innate talent or skill where understanding and demonstration come easy, those that through hard work, dedication, motivation and practice achieve their learning, and those that always seem to fall short, they struggle and without tutoring or mentoring they just seem to barely make it, but with a little finesse and facade building they can fake their way to a passing grade and even sometimes an A. All of these students receive A's for projects even assessments but they are mastering the content at very different levels. So, what does an A actually mean?
An A is a snapshot, a glimpse of comprehension. The information aligned for them, creating a synergy of assimilation, perception and realization. But, does that moment of synthesis last? When the class moves on to the next lesson is there a retaining of that knowledge? Can a student store this previous evidence into their database to be pulled and added to future endeavors? Will they see the connections, the bridges between larger concepts? I have seen a student get A's on every test because it is mere memorization of facts. Then fail every lab because that is an application of those facts. How can we teach students that A's are merely necessary markers we use to measure growth? They are just that, a marker. It is far more important to see the big picture and all the intricacies of correlation and interrelationships then to have an obscure set of trivia.
The grade is not the purpose, the relevance, nor is it an indicator of intelligence. I remind my students every time they are assigned a task, that it is the amount of focus that you wield that will give you the greatest return. Effort directly impacts performance and proficiency. We are all proficient at something. We have strengths in certain subjects while we may have interest in others but they may not come to us naturally. In other words, we may have to work harder at some things than others. But, even those things that are second nature or simple for us need nurturing and forging or we become complacent and lose sight of the master plan, the broad view, the big idea. It is these latitudinous notions that if assembled properly will expand our knowledge base and make us better thinkers.
If we know how to think for ourselves, problem-solve and disentangle fact from fiction, truth from falsity, then we will be able to build our world view on a sense of self and self-confidence. An A does not mean we are better or smarter than anyone else. It means we gave it our all, we put forth the effort to succeed and gain insight into the subject matter for which we were tested. Failure is simply an avenue of stones and gravel that we have to traverse at some point in our lives. While success is not a road paved in gold, but a well-traveled path that curves and bends but ultimately reaches a place of understanding. Whichever thoroughfare you are en route upon, does not matter, for the end result will be the same: growth. That is the key to education, to learning, to curiosity and exploration. Not to be transported to the summit without having sacrificed or slipped and lost your footing. You must climb every peak and descend into every valley for the treasure of knowledge to be worth it. To be memorable. To be an inspiration for the next leg of the journey.
A grade is irrelevant in the scheme of things. It is a digit. A simple, abstract concept. It is the acquisition of knowledge that is the drive in all of us, that keeps our minds wandering, our thoughts focused and our imaginations running wild. We have to be free to think for ourselves or the edges of ability and wisdom will forever be blurred. It is when we set aside a monetary standard and value an exclusive and personal trek for growth and enlightenment, that the universe and all of its facets begin to whisper to us. This is the moment when curiosity mutes achievement and ingenuity, enterprise and visualization shadow competitiveness.The only championship in learning is the belief in oneself and the determination to become better. This is what an A truly is, not high marks or a perfect score, but the intimacy between knowledge, humility and adversity that keeps us learning and growing every day.
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