WENBUCK PRIVATE SCHOOL
June 14
2014
PREPARATION FOR FINAL EXAMINATIONS
PRESENTED BY PRINCE CHIWALA
WENBUCK PRIVATE SCHOOL- JUNE 2014 THEME: PREPARATION FOR FINAL EXAMINATIONS PREAMBLE This paper was prepared at the invitation of the Management of Wenbuck Private School on the copperbelt in Chillilabombwe, Zambia. The Copper belt Schools Association’ schemes outline the work to be covered during the year and from this, teachers draw up individual schemes for each term. It is important that teachers within a grade should liaise to ensure that there is reasonable similarity within the Grade level. Therefore detail will depend on the individual variation on how the matter will be handled, the variety of material and apparatus needed, the method followed, reference sources and demands made on the pupils. When planning to teach, the process should include; a)
Specific objectives (Outcomes)
b
the content-Syllabus /Curriculum
c)
Activities/methodology
d)
Evaluation procedure
INTRODUCTION There comes a time in every student’s life when those things that you dread begin to loom on the horizon. This depends on how confident pupils are about examinations, pupils’ horizon will either be measured in months or perhaps in weeks. What am I talking about? Of course I mean examinations. In this paper, we shall restrict ourselves to Assessment tests, Mock examinations and Government composite examinations. Thorough preparations will provide the pupils with a strong foundation and will give pupils the confidence and motivation that they can achieve good results. Remember, performance in Private schools is mainly measured on the performance in the Final examinations Results. The ICT technocrats say, ’Garbage in Garbage out’ which imply the level of students’ preparation will determine the level of their performance.
Educational Psychologist Dr Benjamin Bloom propounded the higher forms of thinking in education such as analyzing and evaluating rather than just remembering facts (Rote learning) Bloom identified three main domains of educational learning namely; Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor. Bloom Taxonomy ‘s revised learning domains are listed as follows ;
Remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, creating and evaluating. These learning domains are more action oriented and help teachers approach lessons with variations because pupils have different learning styles. A good method is one which is constructive productive, purposeful and progressive in nature giving positive results. The 21 st Century demands teachers to move away from traditional way of teaching as sources of information today are in abundance. Select a method that promotes high order thinking. There is no one suitable method that can bring about effective learning, nevertheless a combination of two or more methods would be ideal. One of my best methods is Project Method. This method is ideal for a long term duration. If well guided by the teacher the children would produce excellent work and they feel a sense of ownership in their work and create good leadership qualities. Realistically, in Zambia the limiting factors include lack of adequate text books, multi-media facilities and suitable learning infrastructure.
Success in examination is determined by many intrinsic factors. In this case motivation represents an essential element of success. It should be born in mind that that no preparation might yield positive result if you are de motivated. In addition, you must have a realistic strategy towards success. This involves steps before and during the exam. BEFORE THE EXAMINATIONS TO THE TEACHER Plan and organize work in an orderly way- MS power point mode, Flip charts, commercial charts, multi-coloured map reading techniques, mastering formulae. Written exercises should be tailored to examination type of questioning. Deal with targets using SMART , a common acronym, by setting preparation timetables for teaching which are measurable, attainable and realistic goals. Each subject should be accorded sufficient time and importance Short and summarized notes are ideal in an exercise format. Examination Practice-previous examination scripts can be of great use to the pupils by reading them and familiarizing themselves with format, answer sheet, test item language type of questions etc. Common Mock Examinations are vital when preparing pupils as
they are standardized. For example, The Lusaka Zone Private Schools Mock, The Chililabombwe District Joint Mock and Copper belt Schools Association Mock Examinations.
TO THE PUPIL Mental preparation-A positive mindset is a major key to pupils’ success in examinations.
Physical preparation-Let pupils know that their health is their wealth. Students must have enough sleep, exercise and eat nutritious food that will keep the brain refreshed and function at its best.
Spiritual preparation- Our society shapes us. Pupils ‘ associations play a key role in their success. Pupils should be willing to give up bad influence from friends and negative attitude towards school work. Most importantly they should always put God first, as the Bible says in Proverbs, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’(optional )
Emotional preparation-Pupils’ emotional development has so much to do with their success in exams. The class teacher in conjunction with parents prepare the pupils emotionally to avoid nerves breakdown in the thought process. Unlocking the will to learn is part of emotional learning.
Material preparation-Material preparation here refers to content of syllabus. Expose the pupils to the topics lined up for the year. How widely read are our
pupils writing an exam? Do pupils take keen interest in current affairs, library, online educational websites, newspapers, educational magazines? This might encourage and raise their curiosity in accessing more information especially when doing homework and research .Consequently ,if a student fails to prepare, then he/she prepares to fail. Preparation +hard work=success
DURING EXAMINATIONS pupils should read the instructions carefully. Pupils should plan budget their time during exams according to number of questions and time allocated to the paper. Pupils should be punctual for every paper they are sitting on a particular day Pupils should be advised against too much frequenting of the toilet. Pupils should have the necessary accessories to use in the exam.eg pencils, erasers etc Pupils should adjust to the new invigilators and supervisor administering ECZ examinations. In summing up Teachers must keep it ‘professional’ and not’ personal.’ Evaluation at the end of the academic year should be done through; self evaluation, reflections, peer evaluation, checklists and pupils’ psychological preparedness. Pupils must be cautioned against engaging in examination malpractice by signing a declaration form. The Declaration form is signed in the presence of the parent or Guardian as a pledge to abide by the Examinations Council of Zambia Regulations. Pupils who have been taught and are ready for exams will develop high levels of confidence and may not be influenced by others to engage in such misconduct.
Try out this, Food for thought: The English Alphabet can be numbered as follows; A,B,C,D,E,F…………………………………..and corresponding numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 etc written underneath each letter up to the 26th letter.
Work out the numerical value of each of these words and motivate your pupils.
HARD WORK= KNOWLEDGE= ATTITUDE= LOVE OF GOD= IMPORTANT EDUCATION QUOTES: ‘’Students behave when teachers engage.’’ Anthony Cody ‘‘Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learnt in school’’ Albert Einstein
REFERENCES Elizabeth Mulumba(2007)Planning and Controlling Presentation Paper, Chililabombwe Peter Sakala(1997)Schemes and Forecasts Presentation-ZCCM Bloom B.S.(1972) Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook 1 New York Sushil Upeti (2014) SOS Children’s Village of Nepal
PRESENTED BY Prince Chiwala
KCM Konkola Trust Primary School Formerly at Midlands High School Lusaka, LICEF School, SOS Children’s Village of Zambia Trust A Member of Education Worldwide Organization- EWW Denmark