Coursework vs Exams; What's the best assessment method in schools?

[cheat-master30]

Which method do you think is best in a course at school/college/university? While personally I usually like exams more than coursework, I do think that an over reliance on one leads to alienating a decent amount of the class for the subject, because people do learn differently and think differently.

Your opinion?

[Zamurick]

Exams. Specifically final exams. Coursework isn't enough to show that the person is truly learning and understanding.

Passing a final exam shows that you understand and REMEMBER enough of what was taught to move on to the next level of that subject.

[nickyivyca]

That's why I like how my math class worked. You could get a bad grade on homework (well, not an F or something, but something that showed that you did some homework) and not fail the class, because you just had to get an A- test average.

[Phazon]

Coursework usually requires you to go into greater detail than an exam so an exam isn't really any more difficult than coursework. I prefer coursework, because you can show that you understand something without being under huge pressure to get it done in time.

[Chrisjh0223]

I agree with Phazon, I prefer coursework over exams because you can complete the assignment at a more relaxed pace. I still have to admit though that the two assessment methods in question should be in balance of each other, because too much of anything is a bad thing.

You know, some colleges out there involve solely of courses where a professor speaks most often and gives a lecture every single day except the exam days. During lecture days, he/she will basically just teach the class (and periodically allow for questions and/or review) and give out optional homework assignments. The homework is not a must, but it does allow you to study harder and understand covered material much better. I just thought I'd mention this.

All in all, a balance is preferable yet I personally like coursework more.

[Phazon]

The course i'm on doesn't have any exams. We just have to have all 20-something assignments completed in 2 years. It's still hard to get a distinction on some of them though and if you have all distinctions and 1 pass your overall grade is a pass. I don't think that's particularly fair, but it definately makes me work harder. I guess that's some kind of pro to coursework, although I don't know if everywhere else uses the same grading scheme.

[imalittlecrazy]

Coursework definitely. It doesn't give you nearly as much stress.