To gain some understanding of this subject, let’s return to a simpler time when we studied with just one single goal in mind: to perform well on tests, earn the highest grade possible, and earn the title of “Scholar.” It was a straightforward period where people would do whatever it took to rise to the top of the charts, but would it still hold true in the fiercely competitive 21st century when we continually look beyond the numbers? Or will it still function in the future when new technologies are developed and the world seems to advance at a breakneck pace, making it terrifying to keep up with the changes?
“Aim at becoming capable; success will follow you eventually,” sounds simple enough. If only we lived in a perfect world where grades didn’t actually matter.
Although an eventual takeover of individual skills will eventually replace them, marks, ranks, and topper charts just cannot be ignored in the real world. The idea that learning must be applied in the context of the real world has come a long way from a basic but profoundly insightful starting point. The teachers at the top school in Ashok Vihar prepare the students for real-life situations, not just hypothetical ones.
The paradigm change brought about by the new learning age was the realization that education couldn’t be limited to the simple transmission of information and material. It is no longer a rote recital of what can be remembered and memorized. The most recent buzzword is now “SKILLS,” which has evolved into something better and beyond.
Why does skill-based learning form strong roots?
Skills determine strengths and are an asset to the person’s personality in a world where people judge people based on the lengthy list of items listed in a CV or profile.
It is comparable to giving people a set of versatile tools they can use at any time during their lives. In their quest to remain relevant, this toolbox is crucial. It develops a mindset that is “Life-Ready.”
A progressive education that emphasizes the learner and makes them more independent with each new skill they acquire is skill-based education. Consider it a continuous hands-on DIY project. It provides the student with a realistic grasp of how things are carried out.
At Lotus Veda, the best school in North Delhi we think that learning is built on skills. At the International school in North Delhi, through a variety of learning experiences, including research activities, group projects, self-management techniques, and even soft skills, learners are continuously working to develop skill sets. The students not only consciously practise these abilities every day, but they are also conscious of the skills they are learning or want to develop. They can choose the talents that are in their best interests thanks to this conscious understanding. From “I think I need to improve on my social skills a bit more” to “I feel confident in my communication skills,” the learners’ conversations cover a wide range. The learning process is deeper, more meaningful, and highly individualised when self-assessments are used.
The difficulties posed by rote learning in the past, which rendered the entire learning process separate and disjointed, have been solved by the individual’s multifaceted development. Every learner may now design a personalised growth plan for their unique skills and continuously improve their level of competence.
By providing the necessary scaffolding and support that the student would see fit in their individually designed plan, teachers at the International school in Delhi now purposefully take a backseat and enable the process.
What place do exams hold?
Exams have the advantage of forcing students to set aside time to intentionally recall, rote memories, and apply the material they have learned. A formal system is necessary for the operation of the entire academic apparatus, and because this process is so formal, it takes measurable outcomes into account. No system is all-inclusive, and no method is failsafe.
The drawback, however, is that while an exam produces some rigour, it cannot measure the innate talents and limitless potential that a person genuinely possesses. Exams don’t take into consideration other elements like emotional or physical state of being that could have a direct impact on the results, therefore it is only a measure of outcomes for a certain time and day.
The disadvantage, though, is that while a test fosters some rigour, it is unable to gauge a person’s true abilities, which include boundless talent. Exams only measure results for a specific time and day because they don’t account for factors like mental or physical state of being that could have a direct impact on the findings.
The Verdict
Returning to the conflict over competence: The option with the most future leverage looks preferable in a contest between talents and examinations. You have a choice between preparing yourself for a world that is constantly changing and excelling at the charts.