Learning and Testing

January 31st, 2008

I just added a “multiple choice” mode to the flashcards application. In this mode, the word is displayed and read, 4 pictures from the set are shown, and the user must select the correct picture before moving to the next question. There is no multiple choice mode for flashcards in the “story” and “math” categories; these will display as flashcards even if multiple choice mode is selected.

Many homeschooling (and especially unschooling) advocates warn about the dangers of testing, including Glenn Doman himself, who calls testing unrewarding and unpleasant. John Holt also warns against testing and cautions that judgment can dampen the desire for learning.

However, I personally enjoy testing in a relaxed and non-judgmental atmosphere. Something about searching my mind for the correct answer seems to strengthen the neural pathways more than just being told the correct answer. I can say that while testing the multiple choice feature, my knowledge of geography has definitely expanded! One of my favorite websites right now is Freerice.com, a vocabulary building website where you select the correct definition of some scarily difficult words from among four choices (and every correct answer donates 20 grains of rice towards ending world hunger). I am hoping that adding this more interactive dimension will draw in older children (like my 4-year-old) who are not entertained by mere flashcards.

So try out the multiple choice and see how you like it, but please don’t pressure your little ones to move into testing before they are ready. Enjoy!

Posted in the big girl (11/03), the webapp | 1 Comment »