How Focusing on Learning Gains Promotes Student Motivation and Engagement

Globally, the focus on grades and scores rather than learning is increasing more than ever. Especially in the school environment, there is often a focus on grades and academic achievement. As educators and school administrators, we have observed that grades have received priority over learning due to prevailing cut-throat competition everywhere. Today parents, as well as educators, value good grades so highly that many students use their grades as a barometer of their intelligence. Grades are typically based on a student’s performance in a particular subject area, as measured by assessments including exams, assignments, and other methods. While grades are an important aspect of academic achievement, they do not necessarily reflect the full picture of a student’s progress and development.

However, it is important to consider the concept of gains and how they can provide a more comprehensive view of student progress and learning. Gains, on the other hand, refer to the progress that students make over time, regardless of their starting point. This approach focuses on individual improvement and growth, rather than just comparing students to their peers.

One benefit of focusing on gains is that it encourages a growth mindset, which emphasizes the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. This can be particularly important for students who may feel discouraged or overwhelmed by a challenging academic environment.

Additionally, gains can provide a more accurate measure of student progress over time. Students who may have struggled in the past may still be making significant gains, even if their grades do not reflect this progress. This approach also allows educators to identify areas where students may need additional support and intervention, rather than simply focusing on grades alone.

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There are several ways that international schools can incorporate a focus on gains into their educational approach. For example, teachers can provide regular feedback and opportunities for reflection, so that students can see their progress over time.

Some strategies that may be considered are:

• Student profiling s an effective tool that really works here. It identifies the individual and collective strengths, needs, challenges, and interests of the students in a class.
• Collaboration and peer-to-peer learning can be encouraged by educators which can help students develop important skills and foster a sense of community.
• Differentiated Instruction is required since students display diverse characteristics. It is necessary for teachers to vary their activities in their classroom practices to cater to the needs of all students. It is the demand for the day as the one size fits all approach no longer works for a diverse class. This has gained immense importance, which in turn provides opportunities for teachers to address diversity among students such as learning style, needs, readiness level, and interests.
• Adaptability in teaching and learning methods – At G.D. Goenka World School (GDGWS), we have always advocated for this flexibility, which has resulted in remarkable achievements and accolades for students. In light of the current trend, towards blended models of education, flip teaching and other novel methodologies have proven to be quite successful.
• A variety of opportunities help to challenge students and feel a sense of success with the knowledge they acquire which weighs more than just their scores. At GDGWS, students are introduced to and exposed to global opportunities in a variety of fields. The recent one was the Indo-Bangla cultural collaboration with another international school in Bangladesh that helped students transcend national boundaries helping them become global citizens.
• Bridge Course – Another important way to gain is to start all the students at a common ground level through a bridge course at the beginning of the session which we do in a big way at GDGWS. Through the bridge program, we try to bring all the students to reach the required starting level, whatever their educational background. We focus on developing the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve success. This is enrichment time where we encourage students to develop, debate, and explore new topics and ideas.

Of course, grades are still an important aspect of academic achievement, particularly for students who may be preparing for university or other post-secondary education. However, a focus on gains can provide a more holistic approach to assessing student progress and success.

Author – Dr. Manisha Mehta, Deputy Head of School, GD Goenka World School, Sohna, Gurugram

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