Exploring Grades Impact on Student Motivation and Potential

Abstract

The main objective of my research project was grades justifying students’ knowledge or not. If not there is what’s the reason and how influencing a student. This study examined a university studied student intelligence correlate with grades, when they get bad grades, what’s the impact and why they feel frustration and demotivated. Most of the people believed that grades cannot associate student knowledge that’s why should be less concern about their grade found .Need to focus on learning and gaining actual knowledge. The study reveals that success come from self-awareness, which includes a sense of self-worth and the ability to read one’s own emotions self-management, which includes initiatives, controlling disruptive emotions and social awareness. Practical work can life easier and success will come. Where grade or CGPA doesn’t matter. Yet some people believe that good grades was helpful goal to strive for, besides grades you have to know well about a course and it’s important to work hard for getting true motivation. No doubt the grade is the measuring tools of any one student irrespective of any task to evaluate. There are many measuring tools for each and every actions as like as speed, temperature, weight, happy, pain and many more. This tools display us the level of our knowledge and experience to execute any job in the practical field of operation or any interactions. Though it does not show 100% real scenario but help us to anticipate as near as possible. My research thoroughly explains the purpose of study and its outcome of establishing grade in the field of education.

Grades refers to a particular level of rank, quality, proficiency, intensity or value. Basically it was the yard stick for measuring the potential of a student. But the aim of education should always be gaining knowledge not just memorizing and earning good grades. But the prevailing education and social structure of our society is such that a student is addressed by the grade he scored, not by the potential he has. His merits, creative thinking and innovation are often not valued as they do not always come in a form of CGPA. This discourages the utilization of potentiality of a person and gives them a mindset to just run after a good grade rather than actually learning. Moreover, the current education system does not address the variation in needs and capacity of the students. They follow a certain fixed method in evaluating a learner. But it was human nature that there will be differences among all and their capacity will vary from each other. This means standardized methods of education will not serve the entire population rather be an example of bad evaluating procedures.

Generally each and every one like me was motivated when got good or expected grade in my periodical examination or evaluation. But at times it asked me whether I really deserve the same as I received as my grade of knowledge. No doubt it make me happy and encouraged to keep it up in rest of my period of study and directly forced me to be serious in every interaction of my life. (Banks, 2019)

At the same time Grade provides solid and dependable information that a student need to focus on specific task, subject, and agenda to pay special and undivided attention to that particular issue he/she has to develop. Some time it does not reflect the real scenario when students are taking help of unethical issue that does not permit in the code of education at all. It was imperative to mention that the comments of Albert Einstein one of the most intelligent men who ever lived did very poorly in school, but some of the most brilliant mind where college dropouts. Grade should not be taken into consideration as extra point of judging something special or extra ordinary. (Anon., 2019)

It is found that different grading policies among the public and private educational institute having negative impact on the practical field of their respective student life. Resulting more frustrations, uncertainty in making their future goal and destination. Most of the cases this education grade are not considered in case of recruitment policy established by individual company or organization. They follow their own established guide line and formula that does not support the so called grade to reach his/her goal.

It is fact that to get a good and expected job you need to have good CGPA as now a days it become the practice to reduce the number of candidates while for a particular job hundreds of applicant are applying for a single post. Thus the recruiting agencies has no other alternative to reduce the number of applicant other than CGPA. Here they should consider more practical experience related to the job, they are hunting for their organization. The combination of CGPA, Experience and interest are essential to justify an effective or potential candidate for the post. Extra curriculum activities and social responsibility and practical field of operation need to consider for decent entry level job irrespective of small or large scale organization. (Scott, 2019)

The grade always do not demonstrate the real level of knowledge as the students are not giving that much attention on other relevant issues that is very much related to his/her life but use to give more focus on grade rather than knowledge. At the same time, it absolutely depends on the respective teacher how he/she make the student capable in order to face the competitive life of reality. Traditionally, grades consider that he/she is a good student as many educational institute give undivided attention to other issues in addition of habitual study.

Grades can make negative impact on student, when they proved that they are not knowledgeable or their CGPA does not support their level of knowledge as supported by certificate. That effects mental and emotional aspect. Here we have to pay due attention on other issues pertaining of their Grade in respect of making policy and procedure of establish unique formula for judging students’ knowledge. (Students, 2019)

After all, Grades cannot measure a student. During student life grades matter and should work hard and try to get better grades but your identity is not to be found in your grades in future.it is rather found the real life how you handle any work, how you implement your work what skills you have and how you handle it. (Odyssey, 2019)

Background

Grading is combine degree integral part of a student's life. Grades or results are the main suggests of evaluating a student's educational performance. There’s no single, uniform grading system followed within the world as totally different levels and establishments of education use different grading methods. We are able to additionally see this distinction within the establishments in Bangladesh.

There are different standard and CGPA systems for faculty and university in Bangladesh. We have a tendency to follow theme 5.0 point grading system at SSC and HSC levels and 4.0 grading point at the university level. The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh has approved a theme for universities. Where A+ is that the highest grade, related to 80% accuracy or higher, B+ with 65-69 and then on. F grade is given for an acting with 40 % accuracy or less.

On the opposite hand, A is that the highest grade at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) whereas A+ is the highest grade utilized by Dhaka University. UGC was the same grading scheme for universities. The majority of private universities observe a grading system completely different from UGC. I do know four private university that follows a system wherever mark is four for each letter grades A and A+ Letter grade A+ is for 97-100 numerical scores associate degreed an A is for 90-96.

The issues of grading still encounter educationalists, however nowadays we all know over ever earlier concerning the intricacies concerned and the way sure rehearses will impact teaching and learning. Before transferal the problem of adopting a consistent grading system into discussion maybe it's vital for North American country to understanding what grade very means that and that practices yield students and encourage learning.

Although student assessment has been a component of teaching and learning for hundreds of years Grading could be a comparatively recent development. Students incontestable, typically orally, what they'd learned, giving academics a transparent indication of that topics needed a lot of work or instruction. The US university initial used the numerical scales in 1813 and used a scale of four that is employed in universities nowadays. It absolutely was in 1897 at Mount Holyoke School that letter grades tied to a numerical or share scale were initial used. The school bestowed students in percentages 95-100 degree A, 85-94 was B, 76- 84 was C. The lowest passing grade 75 was D and something below 75 associate degree E, that indicated a failing grade. F grade wasn't used. However this method was the start of the comparatively common place grades we have a tendency to see nowadays.

At most private universities, the letter grades additionally signify the purpose scale: A for 4.0, B for 3.0, C for 2.0, and D for 1.0. At present, a spread of grading systems are following in America educational scheme. The choice on what grading system to use may be a matter at intervals the exclusive authority of the separable college or educational activity establishment. Each letter grade generalizes a specific grade vary. The letter grade C with 70-75 and D with 60-65 practiced by non-public universities, appear to be high. If non-public universities award students in percentages of 65-70 rather than 70-75 was C and 55-60 was D, this grade distribution can provide additional students a chance to attain higher grades.

Through this research work I would like to pin point the effects of standardized grading method in the lives of the students. I would like to use the result and finding of the research to address to these prevailing problems in the society and the education structure. Lastly, Grades must to be such profit education within the very best manner and also the students’ mentality.

Areas of research

In my research I have decided to scrutinize and will try to understand effect of grading how they motivated, what’s their opined, negative effect of grade how they judge. Research the topic stated above, I have decided to ask the following key questions:

• Do you get motivated when you get good grades?
• Do you think grades provide dependable information about a student’s intelligence?
• Do you think the differences in grading policies among different public and private universities are having a negative effect on students?
• To what extent do you think good CGPA matters to get a decent entry level job?
• Does good grades say that you’re good student?

Hypothesis

In my research I anticipate to find that grades can’t be the only measure to understand a student potential or capabilities. Moreover, it is observed and believed that grading policies have a great effect on the grades the student’s receive and imbalance grading policy in different educational institutions makes the students more frustrated and also it breaks their self confidence level. I also expect to find from my research that, grading system measures only a student’s most recent level mastery over the course materials and not measures any extra aptitude out of the course outline Students academic achievement in terms of grade or score occupies the largest area in the result sheet/report card and preparation of grade in the result sheet/report card is the work of the teachers. So the clear understanding of the grading policy of the student’s scores by many teachers are still questionable and do they grade appropriately Is also a topic of debate. I except to prove these assumption through my research survey and will try to understand the reason behind such perceptions by the survey populations.

Methodology

For my primary research, I will conduct a survey of a reprehensive sampling of the general student body in the university and interview them about the impact of good or bad grade they found previous semester and find out what significant opinion I collect. To that end I will design questionnaire with different types of questions to get a range of useful data which will help me answer my research questions? I will try to interview some of the faculty to gain further insight into this matter. To that end I prepared a questionnaire with different types of close-ended questions in order to get a variety of useful data which would help find the answers to my research questions. Besides, I conducted my survey through online survey system (Google form).

For my secondary research, I plan to use the researches of the library and also consult few books, journals and take some observation about grading. I will also plan to browse the internet and use standard search engine like Goggle to reach the last level of research.

Data presentation and analysis

In order to collect and gather sufficient data, Information about grades justifying student knowledge and how its influence a student. I conducted a survey questioning several aspects related to my topic. I conducted the survey among different university students like (NSU, BRAC & EWU) in which 33 were male and 24 female out of 57 of total sample population. Most of the people I surveyed current CGPA 2.00-3.00 which is 60%.There were 32.70% population who fell into the more than 3.00 category also. I expected more response from the More than 3.00 category but unfortunately there wasn’t that much response according to my expectation.

In my first research question, I asked my survey population if get good grades they will motivated or not. The responses were as expected 78.90% of the total sample population agree with yes it motivates me to study harder. Were 12.3% disagree with No, I don’t bother about grades. Rest of 8.8% say that not always if easily can get A by cheating or plagiarizing they don’t feel motivated. This scenario clearly indicates that motivation comes from study harder and acquiring knowledge after all get good grades.

Then my question was Grades provide dependable information about student’s intelligence.42.10% of sample population say that No, not at all. Albert Einstein one of the most intelligent men who ever lived very poorly in school. Some of the most brilliant minds were college dropouts. Also 33.30% said in some courses grades can determine the person’s intelligence. Other 14 people also opined yes grades/CGPA is the most dependable parameter to determine a person intelligence.

The next question was designed to opined the difference in grading policies among different public and private universities are having a negative effect on students. Most of my survey population said that yes, students of universities with tougher grading policies are always complaining and they feel demotivated especially when they get poor grades while their peers from other universities with more lenient grading system end up getting better grades. Apart from that around 8 people said that tougher grading policy has impact on a student career.

Then I asked my survey respondents and their perception on good CGPA matters to get a decent entry level job. Mixed opinions were seen against this query. However 33.30% people think that one should have both experience and good CGPA to land with a good job and 28.10% said that There are many other variables needed to get a good entry level job these may include the candidate’s level of confidence, the way he/she carries himself/herself, the candidates extra curriculum Activities, voluntary work, the candidates skill and etc. Around 13 people argue that good CGPA is a must to get decent job. Only 9 people say experience matter more than CGPA Experience.

After asking opinion based question I wanted to know from my survey population about grades can justice a student’s knowledge. From the survey result it is revealed that half of the people said grades cannot justice to student’s knowledge.26.30% said that it depends on the teacher whether he /she prefers bookish knowledge or creativity or practical knowledge. Few people said that grades shows whether you have acquired knowledge or not.

Last focus question to my survey population was good grade say that you are good student? 56.10% people say that no because grades can be achieved in many other ways other than studying. Around 28.10% said that yes to some extent because hard work face off. Basically good grades only not comes from studying. It’s combination of hard work, techniques and understanding basic knowledge.

Summary of research finding

My collected data and its statistics are congruent with the hypothesis that has been stated at the beginning of the paper. The study reveals that most of the students get motivated when they earn better grades and it frustrates the students when they receive poor grades. Therefore there is a strong relationship between the grades and students performance. The maximum number of respondents of this research study have agreed on the fact that grading policies have a significant impact on the grades students receive. Furthermore, students believe that different grading policies at different institutions create negative perceptions among students. Students from the institutions that follow very strict grading policies think that they will get less priority from the job market compared to the other institutions that follow relatively lenient grading policies; as the students can't maintain a higher CGPA because of strict grading. Public universities, for example, follows a very relaxing grading policy. In contrast, most of the private universities have a very strict grading system. According to my survey result, such difference creates discomfort and a low level of confidence among students.

Another important revelation from this study is the people’s outlook towards the grades and CGPA. Most of my survey population disagreed on the statement that only CGPA can determine a student’s capabilities and qualifications. Rather the survey population believes that there are several more other factors to be considered to understand a student's potential and brilliance, other than only CGPA and mark sheet. CGPA can only reflect on the recent academic performance of the students, but it can never display all the characteristics of a student possibly can have. Once again this survey result supports my hypothesis as well

Finally, most of my survey population said that there are multiple other skills and qualifications needed to get a decent job, other than a good CGPA. The respondents did not deny the fact that better CGPA is not essential for getting added advantage from job sectors. But the respondents also tried to say that only CGPA can’t be a measure for judging an individual and his or her ability. In that case, a combination of both CGPA and the other factors like the student’s extra-curricular activities should be taken into account.

Conclusion

I have used both primary and secondary data to prove my hypothesis and I have been successful in proving them as well. In our Bangladeshi context, the job sectors and firms give a priority to the candidate with a higher CGPA holder. But in most cases, the firms don't even realize that another candidate with a less CGPA can be more capable and qualified because of the other skills. Through my research, I have tried to prove that a student can feel discouraged because of the discriminating grading system in educational institutions. People and job firms need to understand about the different marking policies in different institutions and should focus on assessing other capabilities along with the CGPA criteria. Finally, interference from the Bangladeshi government and the law of unified grading systems in all the universities can lessen the frustration among the students.

Reference List

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