Unknown examination dates

Sidenote: I’m actually undecided on this issue (using the debate to make up my mind somewhat), but that’s not relevant to the debate.Sidenote: I'd like this debate done before Christmas, so please be prompt in replying if possible.IntroductionPut simply, unknown examination dates refers to the idea of students being unaware of when their exams are. Con will be arguing for known examination dates, the status quo.Affirmative CaseThe main point of unknown examination dates is the reduction of studying, in particular methods such as ‘cramming’. The idea is simple. Tests are meant to assess student understanding of content taught in class. For simplicity we’ll define understanding as solid, long term knowledge and the ability to effectively apply what one is taught. Now, since studying inflates marks, but these marks don’t necessarily reflect increased understanding, the test’s accuracy in determining student understanding is undermined. Obviously if tests fulfil their purpose less it is a negative.To demonstrate, I recount a simple discussion from my Aust. History class prior to my exam between a girl and my teacher. A revision sheet covering 2 terms worth of content had been given out.Teacher: Emi, you don’t know anything on this sheet.Emi: I know sir, but no need to worry – I have 2 days to study for the exam.Teacher: Emi, I think you’ll need to study...What this conversation shows is that the student doesn’t really understand anything, yet by studying they will gain temporary knowledge than can be utilised in a test to falsely display understanding. In contrast, unknown examination dates mean that understanding must be long term (as exams can occur over a longer period of time which necessitates understanding to remember it) .In case this example isn’t clear, let’s compare exams with drug testing or random breath tests for alcohol. Clearly, if one is told the date of an investigation they will be prepared and more able to hide incriminating evidence. Effectively, forewarning people lowers the effectiveness of the police work. The same is true with exams as people will ‘cover up’ their lack of understanding if given sufficient time, just like drugs could be covered up.More timeThe fact of the matter is that exam preparation takes up valuable class time. Often about 1-2 weeks are used on exam preparation depending on the subject, so we’ll call it 1.5 weeks. Given that exams occur twice a year this is 3 weeks per year, which given 6 years of high school makes for 18 weeks lost by exam preparation. This is essentially half a year’s worth of new learning that could be done that can be gained by having unknown exam dates. Obviously more learning which equals a greater breadth or depth of knowledge is beneficial.Reduced Focus on TestingUnknown examination dates would likely result in a reduced focus on testing, which is a good thing. Now, tests are indeed needed in education, and are quite useful for certain things, yet tests are quite flawed. The marking scheme is flawed (http://www.debate.org......) , test design isn’t advanced enough to properly assess understanding and so forth. In particular though I’ll focus on a common occurrence given a focus on testing.Students often ‘data dump’ , which is to state that they choose to only study / remember what they know to be coming on their test. They will forget everything else, a negative with regard to the purpose of education which is to educate. Obviously, a student who knows less is worse than a student who knows more, all else being equal. Furthermore, unknown examination dates succeed in this issue as data dumping only occurs given study (where knowledge is prioritised due to upcoming exams) , which doesn’t occur under unknown exam dates (or at least not in the same short term sense) .Of course, many would argue that a reduced focus on testing is a bad thing, not a good thing. Indeed, it is an important issue in a time where China is emulating Western styled education and the West is moving towards Eastern styled education system. Nevertheless, unless Con raises objections to whether a reduced focus is a good thing, this side issue won’t be debated that deeply (as it’s not the subject of our debate!).ConclusionI think I done enough for R1 to demonstrate some of the ideas behind unknown examination dates and why they should be implemented. This is due to many factors, including an increase in long term understanding, less test distortion, more time for learning and a reduced focus on testing. I look forward to Con’s response.