Hi Paul:
I don't pretest all the time, but when I do I find it helps me know where to put my emphasis, especially if it's new students. As far as emphasis, the nice thing about pretesting is I avoid wasting too much time on information already know or don't need.
Regards, Barry
Pretesting is a great idea that I plan to implement in my classes, and will recommend it to my colleagues. Knowing about my students' background and knowledge will help me put my expectations, and give specific advice to each student early enough in the course.
I agree it helps me evaluate strenths & weaknesses of students - so when I make lesson plans - I have a guidepost for helping me teach them subject matter!
A pretest can give a window to the relative skills of the students both academically and personally. I think I mentioned on one of the strings that I have them write an editorial on a topic of their choice the first week of class. It gives me an idea of their writing skills and personality.
A pretest can help point out deficencies in background knowledge of students. This allows you to supplement those areas so that the students may be more successful with the course content.
Having never taught in a career oriented college before, I was taken back by the lack of preparation and readiness on the part of some of my students. I have found that developing and utilizing appropriate pre-tests to be the best tool for me to have a clear sense of the nature of my classes,and as the lesson indicates,they can change dramatically over time. I find it particulary importnat to have this data in the first couple of classes - and to adapt my presentation style and the nature of the material - since that first impression of thier ability to master the material and sense of accomplishment is most important.
great point. Pretests are great to use for that purpose. I have done a few pretests and they seem to at least help the students know what they need to learn in the course
On the first day of class, I almost always have the students write an editorial on a topic of their choice. It gives me an idea of how they write without a lot of pressure.
Another first week task is for the students to mention if they know any speakers on any of the key topics in the class. It gives them an advance look at what is coming up.
Simply put, it allows one to focus instruction one the weaker knowledge gaps in the students.
Pretests are great for making sure students can be successful in my class by knowing where to start teaching from.
I think using pretests helps in the way that it gives you a starting point with your class - each class is different and depending on the type of class you have depends on where you should start your teaching path.
I think a pretest is a great idea to give me an idea of what I'm dealing with. I teach an academic course at a culinary college, and often the students are not interested in the subject matter and are not performing well when it comes to homework and papers.
Assess what knowledge the student has prior to engaging in a topic.
It can help some, but schools tend to rely too heavily on tests and students tend to only learn the information for the tests and not retain the knowledge they need.
Hi Sarah:
Another good thing about pre-tests is that they can show you what kind of learner yo uhave, making lesson planning more effective.
Regards, Barry
pre-testing will help an instructor to evaluate the need of the student and how much knowledge student will be able to intake.
My students and I Love pretests It helps me know what their weakness are and they get to know them also They are great Rhonda
Hi Donna:
Another thing these tools are good for are that they can show you what kind of student learner you have, which can make for more effective lesson planning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marc:
In addition, you might also see what kind of learner the student is, helping to make lesson planning more effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Frank:
Another good thing these tools are useful for are identifying what kind of student learner you have which can make for more effective lesson planning.
Regards, Barry
