Why we don't use online markbooks
Our Approach
Although there are certain benefits to using an online markbook (which Czech schools are required to have), as a school which is able to operate with greater independence we have chosen not to implement online markbooks for several reasons. The rationale for this is detailed below
The most important reason for our approach is related to the quality of the information provided. Once a system is in place where marks are readily accessible, it inevitably raises the expectation that marks are posted frequently. This can pose a risk that the frequency of assessments and the need to generate a ‘grade’ becomes more important than the quality of the assessments being set. It can place pressure on teachers to change the nature of their assessments and the grades being awarded, impacting the quality of the feedback given to students. At Park Lane, many of our assessments are designed as 'formative' assessments, aiming to gauge students' progress and provide feedback on how they can improve, and not as ‘summative’ assessments of student progress.
Similarly, online markbooks often do not provide much context or paint a full picture of the learning which is taking place within the school. Grades can be posted without explaining the nature of the assessment or the context in which it was set. This risks leading to a misinterpretation of student progress (or lack of it).
Another reason why we have chosen this approach is because we want to carefully manage how students think about their learning, progress and themselves. We value academic excellence whilst also placing a strong emphasis on wellbeing, metacognition, and the development of skills, dispositions, and character. Grades are important, but viewed on their own, they can skew student perceptions of their broader learning journey. Our students are highly ambitious, and there is already a tendency for some students to overly focus on grades. Continuous access to grades might lead to an overemphasis on numerical scores over learning, which could hinder long-term academic development. Systems offering constant ongoing academic monitoring also have the potential to increase pressure and potentially lead to stress and anxiety for students.
Despite not using online markbooks, we are committed to delivering the highest quality education for our students. We have high academic expectations of them and they achieve excellent levels of performance. More details of student performance can be found by visiting our school website https://www.parklane-is.cz/