Pattern Recognition vs. Real Understanding

By Lisa VanDamme

Every year, when I give my first test in a grammar or literature class, some new student asks me whether the test will be multiple choice.

Every year, I look him in the eye and say: "I can assure you that you will never, in any class, under any circumstances, at any point in your education at VanDamme Academy, have a test that is multiple choice."

The vas…