I've found pretests to be helpful when I am unsure of what my student's knowledge base is. So many times I've used a pretest in a fun discussion way to dialogue about student challenges and where they need the most instruction. It has worked great!
Deborah,
This sounds great. You are fortunate to have the same students advancing along. This makes the use of pretesting especially valuable for you.
Barry Westling
At the beginning of every course I absoluetely use pretest/quizzes to see what the student have retained from the prior course(s). it gives me an idea of wha the statring point for my class should be. In our particular situation, our students are blended in and ut of classes with another program with the same classes and it helps me to guage whther or not they got what they needed from that provious class.
Shawna,
I just like to know where more of my emphasis should be. Sometimes I find students are above or below what my expectations are for them. A brief pretest (non-graded) can help determine where that level of prior learning lies.
Barry Westling
Pretesting can show my students and myself what their areas of knowledge and weaknesses are. Helping me to focus on the weak areas while presenting content. While helping students to see the necessity of their attention and study time for the content.
Christopher,
Pretesting can be a simple act of looking at a few examples what we want students to know at class end, then create a few assessment questions.
Barry Westling
Jacqueline,
Another kind of pretesting is to lay out the objectives, then identify what will be tested, specifically. Although this doesn't assess critical thinking, it does allow assess information that is at the recalll level.
Barry Westling
Pretest is a new idea to me. Frequently, I will have a wide range of background abilities. Some students have direct experience, others will have reading without comprehension issues. Pretests could be helpful.
Lisa,
Sounds good. Another variation of this theme is previewing, a technique where, prior to actully presenting the topic, the instructor has the students preview the topic, such as examinining key points in the text, distributing handouts and stating their purpose, and perhaps providing an overview that identifies key points that are important. By previewing, the student approaches the lesson in a much more enhanced position, reather than just starting out cold.
Barry Westling
Using pretest is a good tool to use to see if students have the knowledge and also if they are weak in certain areas. Also I think it helps the student to get a feel for what is being cover in the chapter or subject of study. I sometimes use a pretest to make student read the chapter before coming to class, if they know they may be tested that day most of the time they will read, or sometimes I tell them we will have a pretest at the end and they will read on their lunch and then I go over the lecture and this gets them thinking and ready.
Pretests can help with instructional planning by giving the instructor a sense of what the group knows prior to presenting a topic. When I give pre-tests I always administer a post test to evaluate student retention skills of the topic and then I re review areas that were not clear in a different manner.
Gregrey,
Right, just something simple that can measure (briefly) some measure of prior learning. Sometimes, saving these and handing them back at the end of the course shows how far they've come. Also, I never grade pretests, as the information is mainly for me.
Barry Westling
Mabel,
I see your p[point. Pretests don't have to be formal, comprehensive, or complicated, Just a brief assessment that lets the instructor know where their students are at in their prior learning.
Barry Westling
I have found that the students that have the idea that they know the information of the course and would other wise be disconnected. Can be drawn back into the course material. But you have to be careful you don't disengage other students with the pretest
I do not use a "structured" pre-test with my classes. My mix of students would revolt if handed a formal pre-test. I like to bring in a current news item, current happening from their school life, or current event in the field they are studying, as a way of opening the class time pre-lecture or acivity. This usually generates the tone for the learning experience.
Travis,
Like many career school instructors, many times we have to "take them as we get them". Often great patience and diligence is required when students prior learning is at different levels. Pretesting can help determine where that "center" lies.
Barry Westling
Brenda,
I like pretests too. My planning always goes better when I have a enhanced understanding of my students prior learning.
Barry Westling
My students come from varied public and private schools. I have found a huge difference in the levels of attained education. I teach my classes to the median of the students. These levels change constantly.
An excellent way to determine what the class already knows or doesn't know. This way you can determine ways you might want to teach.
Sebastian,
I don't always pretest. But when I have, it has helped me understand my students prior knowledge, which is really more of a help to me than student benefit.
Barry Westling
