Hi Tiffany, Thanks for your post to the forum. Getting daily feedback is an excellent practice! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Using written evaluation forms for the class course daily
Hi Michael, Outstanding combinations of assessments! The Ethics Debate is terrific!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Depending on the class that I teach during the term, the formative evaluation strategies that I use to assess students are:
1. Short quizzes in order to see how well they have picked up the new knowledge that has been acquired.
2. Online forum discussions that I create about real world issues connected to what they are learning so that their new knowledge can be applied to real world examples.
3. Group discussions and problem solving: In an criminal justice ethics class that I've just finished teaching, I had the students in small groups to evaluate how they work together in teams and how they process logical conclusions to ethical dilemmas within the case studies that have been presented. I then have each group present their findings to the rest of the class and before having the class give feedback and any additional comments about what, if anything, they would do differently that the group who presented did not think of.
4. Group Debates: Also in this ethics class, I made their final exam a verbal group debate, where each small group was divided equally into the "Pro" side and the "Con" side. Each side of the group did their research on their side of the ethical issue and then the group came together and presented with each side giving their points of the debate. It was fascinating observing how the debate progressed and some of the groups got really passionate about their side of the issue! It helped me evaluate their ethical value systems, how to effectively communicate orally, how they applied their knowledge to the issue at hand, how to effectively argue their point in a respectable manner, and how to take constructive criticism of their points by the opposing side. Very effective in evaluating student progress and growth!
I do weekly or chapter quizzes (which ever comes sooner) so that I can assess where the student is at before we get too far away from material. It helps both the student and myself know where they need help or more study time in before big exams come.
Hi Daniel, That's a great idea especially as your students know that it is a routine item. Susan
Susan Polick
When class begins, I have my students answer three questions based on the content they learned in the previous class. I collect them and grade it to ensure all students are on the right track.
I have the students take a minute to tell the
class what they have learned and what they
would like to learn in the following class.
J. E. Wright
I use the one minute paper as a learning tool.
J. e. Wright
Doing a weekly overview of the students grades lets me see what students are having issues. Usually there are two graded assignments per week. If there is a problem, going to the student that week, before a small problem turns into a big one, illustrates what I love about formative evaluation. Catching the problem quickly and working on it, through formative, prevents students from dropping out. Other formative evaluation can include student surveys, online chat polls and other tools to help me understand where the students are at and where they may need help. This is in the short term and immediate, that is the beauty of it.
The instructor could have sessions designed to get the students feedback. Also, the student could have frequent quizzes and special projects to help the students grow.
I usually use quizzes and projects, but generally it's bi-weekly; based on our class schedule.
I have a 5-10minute quiz every class reviewing previous class lecture
Hi Scott, Thanks for sharing an excellent example of effective classroom management! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I try to maintain a consistent message of outlining the day on the board in class. Review the material quickly from the week before. Cover the material for the current week, stopping at various points to allow for assessing as well as processing the material to that point. Finally, I will run through a quick overview of all the material covered during the class to confirm coverage. I go through the reading material for the next week as well as the assignment.
By keeping it consistent with lots of review, I have found the classroom to run efficiently.
Most of my courses challenge students to get to the Evaluation Level of Learning. This is not easy, direct or procedural. We have a series of individual tests and group efforts to ensure learning
A formative method I have begun to use is after a demonstration on using a complicated database, I choose a student to perform a search, to give hands-on experience, and to see if my teaching was effective.
I like to give scheduled ansd un-scheduled quizzes. Sometimes I will give a pop quiz and that helps to see if the students have an understanding of the material.
In one of the classes I taught I had a student who had an answer for everything, so I began putting their names on popsicle sticks in a bucket and that is how I called on them. Another way I use formative assessments is by playing games based on the informaation presented in class.
Hi Richard, Yes, asking students to apply concepts to situations is an excellent practice. Thanks for your post! Susan
Susan Polick
