No. Not really. But it's probably the best way we've got.
Likewise: Exams.
Awful things. Artificial. And a real pressure point for the young mind. So, while equipping those young minds with the subject matter to be examined one should also have a bit of an exam strategy to pass on to them. Otherwise known as Exam Craft.
For me it started by wondering how each student approached their first exam question? Do they read it through and then underline key words? Do you need to draw a diagram? What is the question actually asking you? Have I answered it? Do I move on?
I tend to use the rather awful acronym 'PDR?' (rising intonation at the end there)
I explain it in more detail here but in a nutshell, it is...
Planning or Preparation
Doing
Reviewing
? [Do I Move On?]
This is quite hard for a student to believe in without them having its benefits demonstrated to them followed by practice in applying it. It helps the student take charge of each exam question, right up to the point of knowing when they have gone as far as they can with it.
