The criteria that I use for selecting a particular testing format vary with the problem at hand and the level of critical thinking and application involved.
For example, I give a diagnostic pretest at the start of the course,then revisit and measure learning outcomes against individual student progress on class projects.
As a result, I am often made more aware of what is working as well as those areas that might need more clarification for a particular student or for the entire class.
Hi Jaclyn- You are doing a great job at preparing your students for assessment. As instructors we have to remember that we are assesing to make sure they have lreaned what we have taught. Therefore there should be no "surprises". Letting students know what to expect in advance helps them to better prepare and makes them generally less anxious. Best wishes ! Susan
Hi Robert - Thank you for an infomative and entertaining post! I completely agree - if it's a writing force they should be assessed on their writing. Your attention to rubrics is essential. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
In teaching culinary arts the skill sets and competantcies are
i prefer practical evaluations to evaulate their hands on skills.
The criteria I use for selecting certain testing format depends on what type of test we are performing. If we are performing a pratical exam the format is completley different than for a written test. I we are formatting a pracical exam we make sure that the students sompletely are prepared and comfortable with the hands on as[ect for the practical. And if we are performing a format for a written exam I have them constantly answering questions similar or basing around the questions that are going to be on the exam.
Realistically, the bulk of my "testing" has to be done through the completion of full essays - it IS a writing class, after all. I can try to put in some short quizzes of various format (multiple choice, etc.), but I don't think it's fair or appropriate to base too much of a writing class on non-written testing or assessment. That makes my job a lot harder, of course - I've joked more than once about watching other instructors zip their ScanTron sheets through the machine and be done with their grading in a matter of seconds while I'm lugging home a stack of papers to sit with for hours. But in a writing class, you gotta write, and that has to be the largest form of assessment. At that point, my rubrics are distributed and discussed early in the course and with each particular assignment.
As for determining the effectiveness of writing as the format, well, again - in a writing class, you gotta write...and I gotta grade, rubric in hand.
Working in a culinary academy the practical test is the best way to assess the students.
Hi Susan
I belive testing tool are very important for the instructor to see le level of learning of the class. In my power point lecture I incorporated quiz, test as refreshing before the end of the subject.Eric
I prefer short answer for skill related questions.
Some concepts are more concrete than others, and I use this to determine what type of assessment to use. For example, if I want to assess an abstract topic, I might opt to use an essay type assessment.
Hi Marcia - I like the idea of using role playing in the type of classes that you teach. Ir really aids in retention of the material as well as practicing applications. Best wishes - Susan
Hi Marcia - Welcome to Ed 103! It is terrific that you direct your student to the correct answer when grading tests. Too often students note that the answer they gave was wrong but do not bother to find the correct answer. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Michael- Welcome to ED 103! The assessment plan that your school uses is excellent. I am a great believer in using rubrics and making sure that my students have them prior to the assessment. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
We encourage our faculty to look for as many opportunities as possible to encorporate alternative, progressive assessments into their classes. When curriculum is written, the objectives are defined. We base our assessment types on the best way for students to demonstrate competency based on these pre-determined objectives. When an assessment is subjective in nature, such as an essay or template response, we use carefully written rubrics to show students the level of application that will define success.
I combine multiple choice and t/f. When grading the test if the correct answer is not given I note the page the correct answer is on.
I give written test based on course content. Classes I teach are business related and the object of a hands on test is not effective. I do role plays as part of class to enforce supervisory management learning.
Hi Dorothy- Welcome to ED 103! I think that your approach to written exams is solid and will result in fair assessments. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Andrea- Thanks for your post! Do you ever give tests that are mixed (some multiple choice, some T/F maybe some short answer , etc.) ? Some students just do better with specific assessments, so by mixing it up on each test you get a better picture of how the class did as a whole. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Hi Kelvin - Thank you for your post! I agree , rubrics are essential in application assessments. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
