| The
Task of an Assignment |
Many a times, teachers expect their
students to submit their work on time. But, how many teachers correct the
work assigned by them, on time? This question resonates within the students,
and myself, who do not receive their evaluation by the expected timeA
teacher’s work doesn’t stop when the task is assigned to their students.
It actually starts when the
students submit their work. The main aim of assignment should be focusing on
self learning and reflection. So the actual learning strengthens only when
the students try the task on their own and the teachers respond to such tasks
as soon as it is submitted. For this
process to be most effective, the feedback must be immediate or as rapid as
possible in the case of written work. |
But in practice, many teachers are not
able to, ordo not showinterest to provide such support to the learners. The
reason may be that the number of students assigned the task might be too
overwhelming to evaluate on time or that the assignment is merely given for
the sake of records and is undervalued by the teacher itself. This depends on
the school’s policy, the teachers’ commitment, the time frame, and many more.
This may lead the students to question the value of their integrity to
submit the task on time, and lead them to believe it that the student-teacher
relationship is not reciprocal
And, another important issue in
assigning the task is the question of fairness. Here, it is vital for the
teachers to make sure that the task assigned matches with what the students
learn in class. Of course, sometimes the purpose of the task itself could be
challenging enough for the learners to learn on their own, to encourage
research and self-initiative. But, again, this has to be clearly communicated
and discussed with them in advance, in terms of expectation, preparation,
resources, planning,execution, submission. |
And sometimes, schools have timetables
to assign the task. This means that, on which day, which subject should be
given, is pre-decided. Though this sounds great and systematic, some teachers
prefer to break this rule for either flexibility or mere accountability.
Sometimes, a heavy load of homework implies that the students aren’t left
totally free, which makes it easier to rope them back to tasks. Their motto
would be “to keep them engaged. But at what cost?At the cost of the students’
proliferation towards the subject.
The entire teaching and
learning consists of planning, implementing, assessing and evaluation. Assignment, if it ignites the mind of
students in a positive and healthy way, can do wonders. It actually can
become a great self learning and enriching tool for the students. It depends
on how well and effectively it is used and responded to.
By
Mrs. Jayanthi Ramesh
Corporate trainer & Teacher trainer
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