Position Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Position Paper - Essay Example Due to the importance of the learning process this position paper was created to compare and contrast the learning assessment performed by Jim Evans in 1962 and two alternate ways to assess learning of students. The position of the writer is that the traditional learning assessment performed by Mr. Evans is inadequate to determine if real learning occurred. The proposed methods to assess learning which are far superior to the techniques utilized by Mr. Evans are simulation and essays. Jim Evans performed a teaching workshop to state agencies for creating effective visuals in which the teaching objectives were outstanding. As an educator Mr. Evans taught a class in which most students seemed to be satisfied until he decided to utilize a 50 item test as the only assessment of what the students had learned during the workshop course. Some students immediately complain after not doing well on the test, some of the comments included constructive criticism such as, â€Å"the teacher continue his lesson assuming everyone had learned the concept he was teaching† (Smith & Ragan, 2005, p.104). The methods Mr. Evans utilized did not truly reflect a correct basis to determine if students actually learned the basics they must have picked up from the course. Mr. Evans was teaching a short course to a group of adults. He utilized a technique more appropriate to ensure younger students learning basic skills such as intermediate math or elementary grammar. In this type of course the teachers has to ensure specific items of knowledge are learned to ensure the student learned knowledge they need for future courses. In those types of scenarios the students are taking a course that lasts a semester typically in which they are numerous class reunions and the instructor is able to teach different segments of the material and emphasize on theories and specific applications that are easy to evaluate through a series of written tests. Mr. Evans was not