Is Application the Way to Go?

Standardized testing typically emphasizes memorization—asking students to recall specific facts, formulas, dates, or vocabulary. While this has been a justified way to measure objective learning, these tests fail to allow students a deeper understanding of knowledge and critical thinking. Changing the focus of standardized testing to application, as opposed to memorization, would allow students to prepare for real-world problems, promote deeper learning, and encourage creativity.

Rather than assessing if a student can recall a set of facts, application-based testing could assess if a student can analyze a problem and devise a solution from multiple concepts. These tests would better reflect how knowledge is used in the workplace and society. This form of assessment would encourage critical thinking and prepare students for complex problem-solving in future careers.

Real-world situations rarely require the simple recall of facts. Professionals in fields like medicine, engineering, or business constantly have to rely on their ability to apply principles and concepts, rather than just recalling formulas and procedures they were told to memorize while in school. Knowledge is frequently being updated in today’s rapidly changing world. The ability to find, interpret, and apply information is far more valuable than having a wealth of facts filed in one’s memory.

Standardized testing that heavily relies on memorization can put certain groups of students at a disproportional disadvantage. Students who don’t have access to the same support networks or resources may struggle with memorization testing. This would lead to inaccurate assessments of their true abilities.

In grade school, we had to memorize all the states and where they were. To memorize the names, we learned a song that put all the states in alphabetical order. It was great to be able to recite the state names, but the song did not help us label the states on a map. It was easy to label bigger states and states in the Midwest, but many of the small states in the Northeast were difficult to recognize. To this day I can still recite the state song, but I couldn’t point out West Virginia on a map.

On the other hand, the playing field could be leveled by application-based testing. This would focus more on the students’ developed skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Many students who do not excel in memorization but have strong practical and analytical skills would have a better chance of demonstrating their true potential.

I find creative problem-solving much easier than memorizing equations. Games like Tetris are easy for me, plus they can be helpful for real-life situations like packing vehicles and organizing spreadsheets.

The ability to think creatively and solve complex problems is one of the most important skills in the 21st century. Yana Weinstein talks about an article that she had read, ”According to this older literature (2), students approach learning in one of two ways: either in a kind of utilitarian, surface manner, wanting only to memorize as much as possible, in order to pass exams; or in a deeper, more meaningful manner, wanting to understand the material and relate it to their personal lives.” This emphasizes that memorization has always been an inaccurate way of determining how much all kids know.

In the end, standardized testing that focuses on memorization fails to capture kids' full skills and capabilities. The education system can prepare students better for real-world challenges by shifting the focus to application-based testing to promote deeper and more meaningful learning. This would also foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Moving towards application as opposed to memorization will contribute to a more equitable and future-ready society.

Weinstein, Yana. “Memorizing versus Understanding.” The Learning Scientists, The Learning Scientists, 18 Sept. 2023, www.learningscientists.org/blog/2018/2/16-1.

Hailee Pringle is a junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, studying elementary
education. Pringle is a member of the MMU Archery team. When not working or
shooting, you can find her reading, fishing, or spending time with family and friends.