Final answer:
A student should be marked based on actual performance, not checklist use, as long as completing the checklist was not an explicit requirement of the task. The purpose of assessment is to evaluate understanding and mastery, and a successful outcome without a checklist may show a high level of competency.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a student has completed all checklist items correctly without using the checklist, the most fair and reasonable approach to marking would be to mark based on actual performance, not checklist use. The primary objective of any educational assessment should be to evaluate the student's understanding and mastery of the material. If the student is able to demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the task correctly and without guidance, it shows a strong grasp of the material and perhaps even a high level of competency and independence.
However, it is important to also consider the purpose of the checklist. If it is meant to be part of the learning process, such as to encourage students to develop organization and self-checking skills, then there could be an argument for marking negatively for not using it. But, in terms of the actual knowledge or skills being assessed, it's the successful completion that should be recognized. Therefore, the approach would be to evaluate based on outcomes rather than adherence to process, especially if the checklist use is not explicitly stated as a requirement for the task.
Furthermore, memorization might not necessarily be the only skill at work if a student completes the task without a checklist – they might be using prior knowledge, understanding of concepts, or intuitive learning strategies, all of which are valuable in different contexts. Therefore, marking positively for memorization would not fully account for the student's performance either.