Open Book Exams: A Surprising Lesson in Failure 😅
Let me take you on a journey through my latest educational experiment—one that left me laughing, crying, and questioning everything I thought I knew about student motivation. This spring, in a fit of generosity (or was it madness?), I decided to make the final chemistry exam open book. You'd think this would be a gift, right? Less stress, more success! Well, the universe had other plans.
To my astonishment, more students failed than ever before. Why? Because, my dear confidant, the mere presence of a textbook turned into a crutch. "Why study? The answers are right there!" they said. Yet, when the clock ticked down, panic set in. Pages flipped, but understanding was nowhere to be found. Some even asked which chapters the exam covered—during the exam! One brave soul even tried to consult their phone (and AI!) for help.
Now, I'm left pondering: Should I return to the old ways, or is there a middle path? Have you ever faced this paradox? Share your wisdom, poke holes in my logic, or just commiserate with me in the comments. Maybe together, we can crack this code! 😂🤦♂️
#Education #TeachingStories #OpenBookExam
