From filling pages to filling minds

 

“Teacher, I need one more supplement!” — said someone in class. Instantly, all heads turned toward the bright student who had already filled up the main answer booklet and still had more to write.

We all knew the rule: a 10-mark answer must have an introduction, body, and conclusion. It should be at least two and a half to three pages long. If you managed four pages, you were considered above average — likely to score well.

This belief — that the more you write, the more marks you get — isn’t something of the past. It still exists. From time immemorial, our education system has valued learning and recall. It tests memory. But does it test intelligence?

That brings us to a deeper question: Should education be about testing intelligence at all? Isn’t the real purpose of schooling to help children learn new concepts, develop skills — both academic and life-related — and grow from where they are?

Recently, I came across an interesting development — some education boards now provide answer sheets with limited space. Students are encouraged to be concise and focus on quality over quantity. The assessment focuses on content, not the length of the answer.

I was watching a video about Alpha School on YouTube, and it fascinated me. Their teachers act as guides rather than instructors. The curriculum is designed around application and practical life skills. Students have the freedom to choose topics that interest them most and can go deeper into those areas.

Behind the scenes, AI evaluates each student’s intelligence, interests, and aptitude. It then curates personalized content tailored to their learning level — ensuring better understanding and retention.

I was amazed by the idea that students could have such autonomy in learning. I had never heard of education being so open, flexible, and learner-centered. For decades, education has been bureaucratic and focused on rote learning. But it’s refreshing to see how the world is evolving.

I’m sharing the video link below if this sparks your curiosity. It’s definitely worth a watch.

https://youtu.be/tmix-IUSAN0?si=yqYcz1uREBJTY-8A

Curious on how to execute the game of continuous learning? Read my book LEARNAGER, where I discussed and shared techniques on how to enhance learning.

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LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World 

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