How I Learned to Ride a Bicycle.

Among educators there is much debate about allowing students to retake test, rewrite papers, redo assignments or to have opportunity to demonstrate learning in a wide verity of way's. Some have said that if we allow for retakes we are not prepare students for the "real world".

I am not going to debate the philosophy others only to share my own and provide what I think is an example of how this might apply.

Over the past 15 years I have worked closely with many young people, who have not done well on assignments, test, quizzes or what have you. Many have shut down to learning due to the fact that failure after so many attempts causes us to often give up, not try and quit.

I believe that over time, given opportunities to prove learning in a verity of ways students are able to demonstrate mastery of a skill.

Let use the example of riding a bike to help us understand what I am getting at.

I have six year old daughter and a nine year daughter. They both, in my eye are amazing young girls. When my nine year was younger we, like many parents, purchased her first bike. Like many young people this was a great day in her life, we put on the training wheels (in education training wheels are a modification) and sent her on her way. For a few weeks she did outstanding. When we were sure that she was ready to ride on her own we removed the training wheels and spent a few hours running a long side her holding the bike and helping her with balancing as she rode. After a few days of this, I took her to the local park with a bike path and ran along side of her, holding her up.  Finally, when I had determined it was time to let her go, I gave her a little push, for momentum and away she went. For about 20 feet - then she crashed.

When my six year old daughter had birthday, we went through the some process. We purchased a new bike, for safety we put on the training wheels. She didn't need them, she has great balance. In one little lesson she was off and riding. I brought her to the school parking lot and in a few hours she could ride, all over.

So here is the education application. If my nine year old fails and is never allowed to try riding a bike again this will be a skill that she will never have. Even after the modifications, tutoring, and extra help providing a great testing location. I had provided the instruction and now it was time for her to take the test. She failed, so now she can never ride a bike.

The six year old, used the same methods and instructional strategies. She passed the test with flying colours. So she has that life skill, she will be able to attend the bike rodeos at school, go on bike rides with friends and family, and enjoy the freedom a bike provides. In education we might say that she is gifted.

Ok so, I took my nine year old, and started over, I spent more time running along side of her, helped her overcome her fear after the crash and now she loves to ride her bike. In fact she is a great bike rider.

Again, the application to education is that we should allow students to prove to us that they are learning. If we understand that not all students will get it the first time. If we understand that failure is necessary for our progression as learners and as people. If we allow for failure and require improvement students will reach our expectations.

I am not trying to convert anyone to giving retakes. I only think we need to consider, the real world application of allowing or not allowing retakes. Life allows for more retakes then it does for one time shots.

Please take the time to view this short video by Rick Wormeli:

If you have time please view this one: