Why is Assessment an integral part of learning ?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Integral Role of Assessment in Learning
Assessment is a fundamental component of the educational process, influencing both teaching and learning outcomes. It serves as a bridge between instruction and student performance, providing feedback that is essential for continuous improvement. This essay explores the various reasons why assessment is an integral part of learning, focusing on its role in guiding instruction, fostering student engagement, providing feedback, ensuring accountability, and promoting self-directed learning.
Guiding Instruction
One of the primary purposes of assessment is to inform instructional practices. By evaluating student understanding and skills, educators can identify areas where students are excelling or struggling. This data-driven approach allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students. For instance, formative assessments—such as quizzes, class discussions, and assignments—enable teachers to gauge student comprehension in real-time and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. As a result, assessment helps create a responsive learning environment that enhances student outcomes.
Fostering Student Engagement
Assessment also plays a crucial role in student engagement. When learners understand the expectations and criteria for success, they are more likely to take an active role in their education. Clear assessment goals motivate students to invest effort in their learning and strive for improvement. Additionally, assessments that incorporate student interests and real-world applications can enhance engagement by making learning relevant and meaningful. For example, project-based assessments allow students to explore topics of interest while applying their knowledge and skills in practical ways.
Providing Feedback
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools in the learning process, and assessment serves as the mechanism through which feedback is delivered. Effective feedback helps students understand their strengths and weaknesses, guiding them toward mastery of the subject matter. Summative assessments, such as final exams or projects, provide a comprehensive overview of student learning at the end of an instructional period, while formative assessments offer ongoing feedback that supports growth throughout the learning journey. By receiving timely and constructive feedback, students can make informed decisions about their study habits and strategies for improvement.
Ensuring Accountability
Assessment is also essential for ensuring accountability within the educational system. It provides measurable outcomes that can be used to evaluate both student performance and teacher effectiveness. Standardized assessments, in particular, allow for comparisons across different populations and educational settings. This accountability is crucial for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders who seek to improve educational quality and equity. By holding institutions accountable for student learning through assessment data, it becomes possible to identify areas needing improvement and allocate resources effectively.
Promoting Self-Directed Learning
Finally, assessment encourages self-directed learning by fostering metacognitive skills among students. When learners engage in self-assessment—reflecting on their own work against established criteria—they become more aware of their learning processes and can set personal goals for improvement. This reflection cultivates a growth mindset, enabling students to view challenges as opportunities for development rather than obstacles. Furthermore, by involving students in the assessment process, educators empower them to take ownership of their learning journey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, assessment is an integral part of learning for several reasons: it guides instruction, fosters student engagement, provides essential feedback, ensures accountability, and promotes self-directed learning. By integrating effective assessment practices into educational frameworks, educators can enhance teaching strategies and create supportive environments that facilitate student success. Understanding the multifaceted role of assessment in learning underscores its importance in shaping the future of education.
