RED PEN: ITS ROLE IN CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT

ARLENE MAY S. MARIANO

One of the major tasks of the teachers is to evaluate the learning outcomes of a student. Along with this, they need to give students a series of exams, projects and assignments. But the process does not stop on that part. Checking is another integral part of the process. By checking the test, they would be able to monitor students’progress and in return, students will also see his areas of improvement.

Traditionally speaking, teachers use red ink in giving scores and comment to students work. Apparently, U.S researchers say that using red pen to mark the assignments and test could displease schoolchildren. They think that students have been assessed more harshly when their work is graded using red ink. Furthermore, they added that the use of red pen can even weaken teacher-student relations and even learning.

They also associated the use of red pen in the context of communication as similar to using all caps when writing messages and shouting at a person which can lead them feel sad and angry and don’t really promote the learning process.

On the other hand, the use of red pen is just a manner of preparing our students to be more responsive and to be aware of the difference between right and wrong. Moreover, it makes the students more mature in handling any criticism without getting offended.

As we all know, that getting an education is learning from mistakes and adjusting to criticism. As teachers, it is our work to remind the students to focus on the bright side of the comment. They should not treat mistakes or errors as defeats. Guiding our students to retort positively to all those marks whether red, green, blue or purple is necessary.

On the whole, learning does not depend on the color pen used by the teachers. It takes place when a student is properly motivated for them to succeed in school. — oOo— The author is Teacher III at Cacutud Elementary School, Arayat West District