I teach mainly accounting classes and, while accounting is not math, it does help a lot if students have a certain basic level of math skills. It slows a class down dramatically if students are constantly being stumped by relatively simple arithmetic rather than being able to concentrate upon concepts. For this reason I often give my beginning accounting students a math pretest so that I know where I can expect them to have problems.
I have the same problem in a couple of the courses I teach. What I have tried to do in cases like this is to group the students into teams, so that the one's with the skills can help those without.
This works in classes where teamwork can be an integral part of the curriculum, such as E-Commerce, but not so well in classes where projects/assignments need to be done completely by individual students.
I have used the pretest in cases where I have a very diverse group in the class, such as a class that is required by all the program groups. There are times where the material must be presented in a little different format depending on which group I have, and what there background is.
I do use a pretest if the course I am now doing has a pre-requsite.
A pre-test not only helps the instructor find a baseline of student knowledge, but will also give the students a "preview" of material to be learned.
I have, on occassion, used practice questions from the national certification exam for massage therapy as part of a pre-test. ALWAYS with a clear instruction that this is a pre-test -- what do you know already that you will be expected to know at the end? These questions help to establish content relavence: i.e., "this class is intended to prepare you to answer questions correctly on your national exam."
Hi Constance:
To put your words another way, we can use these tools as a way of assessing what kind of learner your student is. Then, we can make the most effective lesson plans as possible.
Regards, Barry
So many of the comments seem to speak to a pre-test as a tool to be used only in the beginning of a students career as a student. In reality, a pre-test should be a tool for the beginning of any class, even the second, third, etc. in a sequence of training. The reason, students need to reassure themselves, and the teacher, that they saw the value of the previous class and are looking forward to the next level. The weaknesses they demonstrate on the pre-test are just as valuable as on the first class.
This course is the first I've heard of pretests. It seems like a good idea so that you know how advanced your students are. You want to be teaching at their level so that they do not become bored or confused. The pretest would also help a teacher to identify what past experience the students have that may be helpful and may relate to the subject material.
I have not done this in my classes yet. I may try it though. Our admissions team gives a sort of aptitude test to prospective students. I feel like sometimes that is not enough or that test isn't specific enough. I get students who have no idea why they are in my classes or they say that they were just told they could make great money in this career field or that they would be good at it.
Hi Kathryn:
Addtionally, these may help to identify what kind of student learner you have, making lesson planning more effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Fredererick:
Also, they can be useful to help identify what kind of student learner you have, whcih can make for more efficient lesson planning.
Regards, Barry
It can be a big help. I seem to have such a diverse group of learners in my classes. I sometimes do a "verbal pretest" and/or a written. Both have been helpful.
We use pretests at the very begining of classes to give instructors the ability to see where students are starting their careers at and what previous knowledge they have. It also gives instuctors and students an abillity to look back at how much they are learning over a period of time.
I believe that this is a great idea. Especially with those classes that have prereq's. If you are teaching the second class to the prereq's this would be a great opportunity to see what they remember from their previous class. You will also be able to tell the students who have not grasped the content of the class. This will also allow you to move forward with the class in the proper way.
I wish I would have more class instructional time to implement pre-tests. I feel like I have so much material to cover and so little time.....
Like the idea of a "pretest". I have a situation very much the same as someone else describes in the thread below, where students in a particular class need a prereq to adequately understand the terminology in the class I teach. I am aware that things do not change overnight, so the pretest may be very helpful.
Completing a pretest accomplishes:
1. It measures prior knowledge of students. Students enter courses and have a variety of backgrouds. A pretest assists in the planning process and helps determine short term gaols and long term goals of the course.
I have found pretests quite useful in situations where I am not sure of the material covered in a prerequisite course. This allows me to be able to plan a "review" session or two if needed before we move on to new and usually more dificult material.
Hi Jodi:
In addition to learning about the strengths and weaknesses of a student, we can also gauge what type of learner they are, which can also help make lesson planning more effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi ANgela:
To expand on your comment, it may also give us an idea of what kind of student learner you have, making lesson planning that much more effective.
Regards, Barry
I think that initially we must understand that the student does have a certain responsibility to himself to realize what the course ie and does he fit,
