Determining Student Proficiency: A Professor’s Perspective on Assessing Mastery vs Intelligence
Students who are admitted to a university are typically presumed to have the necessary intelligence to succeed in their classes, provided they take their studies seriously. However, the question of measuring intelligence among students is a complex one, often misunderstood.
Why Determine Intelligence?
While it might be tempting to use an IQ test to gauge a student's intelligence, the reality is that doing so would be a waste of time. Professors do not teach "intelligence" classes; they instruct in various subjects such as physics, history, computer science, linguistics, business, philosophy, and mathematics. More specifically, professors cover topics like quantum mechanics, medieval European history, algorithms, conversation analysis, principles of professional responsibility, bioethics, and precalculus. What is truly important is the students' mastery of the course material and the overall curriculum.
Mastery and Intelligence
Mastery of course material and the overall curriculum is far more dependent on hard work and discipline than intelligence. Professors do not need to determine their students' intelligence. Instead, they need to ensure that students understand the material, which can be assessed through various means such as in-class questioning, homework, quizzes, and student participation. If a student fails to participate or engages in minimal effort, it becomes clear that they may not understand the material. In such cases, the likelihood of failure is high, regardless of intelligence.
Assessing Learning through Observation and Feedback
Professors do not need to make a global assessment of intelligence. Instead, they focus on how quickly and well students learn specific skills or absorb new information. This is achieved through in-class observation, low-stakes quizzes, and homework assignments. By interacting with students and observing their facial expressions and participation, professors can gauge their understanding. They might also offer additional opportunities, such as an alternative of talking to the professor for five minutes instead of taking the final exam, to ensure students truly grasp the material.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the key to assessing student success lies in their proficiency with the course material rather than intelligence. Professors have a range of tools and methods to determine whether students are mastering the subjects they teach. By emphasizing hard work, discipline, and active engagement, professors can ensure that students are truly prepared for their academic journeys.