Exams
My experience has shown that prior to giving an exam a review of the exam topics will help focus the student.
I use this method to determine if I can move forward with the class, once they truly show they have mastered chapter content.
My experience is that a study guide might help the student with the exam on hand, but when the student reads and studies the actual text it will help them better on the board exams for their Licensure.
I have found similar results and it kick starts there thinking
I do a brief review at the beginning of class, and make sure that all the test content was from lecture or class discussion
Hi Travis, Since we often use quizzes as barometers of our teaching, this is a good way to see what students have learned. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I do this sometimes too. Disclosing the content of a quiz and then having them recall and write the answer is a great form of learning-I think. I reword the questions listed on the quiz so that I'm not making it too easy for my students, but generally discussing theories/techniques/concepts beforehand helps them get into a positive mindset before an quiz. I typically won't do that for an end of the semester exam.
Study guide and review are very helpful for students to focus on the study topics.
For the first few tests I administered I did not give them a study guide. The last two tests I did provide a study guide and the increase in test scores were measurable.
Hi Rena, Thanks for your post to the forum. Assessing work in the lab is very effective using small teams as often this will mirror the work environment. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I like to use a small teams work in the laboratory that makes me feel more comfortable and I actually can measure how much they have learned in this particular session.
Hi John, What a great idea!! I may have to ask our electronics guys to make one for me!
Susan Polick
yes everyones loves a review.
I have a home made jepardy game board with buzzers and lights that we create a small game with. so with 12 students we break into 3 teams of 4 and take turns playing the game.
i ack as the host asking questions that ive prepared throughout the course and we record the points per team on the board.
Nobody wins anything really, it just for fun and strengthening
Hi Cynthia, Thanks for your post to the forum. Students do appreciate study guides. I think the guides help to decrease test anxiety by providing some direction. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hello Susan,
I hand out study guides and review the topics as well. I find that this allows the students to refresh their knowledge and understanding of a topic.
my exams require the student to build upon the principles discussed in class. They are never a regurgitation of text and or lecture.
Hello I Will have a review during class and then once students understand the material, I will surprise with a pop quiz of all the material that we covered. This will also prepare them for the final exam.
Hi Jason, I like to give out study guides also, but I make sure to emphasize that it is only a "Guide"! Not everything on the test will be contained in the study guide. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I also do this for every test. I even give the students a printed list of the terms and topics they need to know for the test, because as a student I never liked not knowing what was being covered on the test; spending hours trying to get a concept straight in my head and then never seeing it on the test. But, it never ceases to amaze me that I will always have a student come to me after the test saying something was on it that wasn't on the study guide, when I write the tests before giving out the study guide. Afterwards, when we go over them you see a light turn on in their head.
