Running head: WEAK CURRICULUM VS INADEQUATE INSTRUCTION

Weak Curriculum Vs Inadequate Instruction
Calvin Salter
Grand Canyon University: EDA 561
February 13, 2012

How could someone judge whether the curriculum is weak or the instruction is inadequate? What kind of evidence would have to be presented to show that curriculum is weak? We have grading systems now in place for teachers to see if they are using adequate techniques, by the implementation of the formative assessment system. We shall dive in deeper to find out which is which or if both are an issue at some point. Does the grading system produce valid measures of learning. I think it depends on how a person teaches and assigns grades. For example, if a teacher assigns grades based on student understanding of material, and by understanding I mean a student grasps the basics and can apply them to other situations. On the other hand, grades can also be determined by what a student can recall when its exam or test time. In that sense I do not think it is a valid measure of learning. Are there alternative methods of measuring learning that would be more meaningful? As I mentioned above, I think application. When students can apply what they learned that is a great measure of learning. In college is when measures of learning are more meaningful. Things are taught and learned in class while outside of class you have assignments that students have to apply the knowledge of what they have learned. I think if teachers applied this to their classroom, then grading would be measured more meaningful. What are the curriculum implications of standard based report cards? If I understand what standard based report cards are, then I think it helps with the curriculum. I think it better gages if a student is actually learning the material. The new