Testing Formats
For skills testing it is not only important for the instructor to be satisfied that the student has reached a certain level of expertise, but that the student feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in demonstrating that skill at the completion of the testing process.
In my field, students are evaluated through demonstration.
I believe that testing should be used to assess knowledge levels; an actual grade is secondary. Prompt feedback helps to reinforce learning objectives. I allow for feedback from the students, as they may have answered a question incorrectly due to the fact that their understanding of the information may be deeper that the question anticipated. By doing this, the students have buy-in for the testing process, they feel that the testing is fair, and I get an additional chance to re-inforce material being taught.
Hi Julie - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are doing a great job of varying your assessments.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I do not like to use test banks provided by publishers. I may use them for ideas, but not for actual questions. I use a variety of types of questions (multiple choice, True/False, matching, etc.) to give all students an opportunity to have access to questions that they may better understand. I also allow questions during tests (one on one) as long as they aren't looking for the answer to the question.
Great response! John Maxwell said, "those teachers who changed my life were the ones who set me up for success through their instruction and testing methods, versus those whom set me up for failure." Pow!
HI Amy - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that your preferred assessment choice (multiple choice) is the best choice for our students as it will acclimate them to the National Exam they will be taking. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach in the Veterinary field, and since my students are required to take an National Exam after graduation that is completely mutiple choice, I have a tendenacy to use this type of test. It helps to prepare them for the most important test of their career.
I also primarily use mulltiple choice tests. I have found that questions that turn out to be unclear often are good discussion points after the quiz. Students get a chance to discuss the flaw in the question and ways it could have been better presented.
Selecting the test format deals with subeject being taught. I find computer course testing is best served with hands on skills testing. Sometimes group testing helps.
Primarily the multiple choice format. I find that most of the student population is more 'comfortable' with this format as it allows them the opportunity to have the correct answer. I however disagree with the course content that suggested that one question should not lead to another. I think that the success of the student is driven by a full understanding of the topic and objectives. Follow through with the critical processes serves to make the students stronger and more secure in the knowledge they have obtained. It also can be a motivator for those who have not mastered the critical elements.
Assessing the knowledge and skills of students is a task that requires careful planning. What are the criteria you use for selecting a particular testing format and how do you determine how effective the format has been in allowing your students to demonstrate their new knowledge or skill base?
I use short answer and essay. However, I can see the benefit for using other methods. I struggle with multiple choice tests because it difficult for me to create incorrect choices that sound legitimate. No joke, I have use “Magic Fairy Dust” as an incorrect answer. The strange thing is that many students will choose this as correct because it is funny. Ugh!
Anyway, I know that I need to revise my test to include more variety of testing methods. I have plans to revise my summative and formative tests, but it is a lot a work to accomplish.
Since I am teaching culinary math, I use similar problems that we cover in class and that are in their workbook.
The criteria I use is to first asses my students learning ability's, Then I write my test that will be in a format easily understood by most of my students.
The criteria I use for choosing a testing format would be based on objectives covered in class for the course; this allows me to tell if students in the class have difficulty in this subject so I can go over it again hopefully then the students will comprehend the subject. If students still have trouble with the test they have taken I help them after class and answer some questions they still have.
Hi Nancy - Using the pre-test as a gauge of progress as you proceed in the class is excellent! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Bruno - As you mention, instructors need to weight assessments based on their relevance to the specific program and the competencies that are expected to be met. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
As I teach English and writing specificilly I use essay tests primarily to assess their writing skills. I do use multiple choiced and True/False in other classes to test a wide variety of subjects
terminology, factors, names there very important for the student to know but I base a little more on the "hands on" or practical demostration to see the skills the student got through out the class.
