Open book
Open book tests work good in my class.
Hi Natasha- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree, in classes like Chemistry or Medical Coding open ook tests are actually preferred because of the need to look up codes or formulas that would not realistically be memorized. However using an open book test can often be a way to get students to read their texts providing they know in advance that they will be required to find specific inormation in a very limited amount of time. Best wishes! Susan
It depends on the class. Something like chemisty, where you would have to know formulas. An open book test would be very helpful. However, in my experience student don't study for open book test, and if they haven't gone over the reading they won't know where in the book to find the answers.
Hi Roger - Welcome to ED 103! I agree, it's ridiculous to expect students to memorize manuals. What does work is to ask them to problem solve. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
That may be true in a lot of cases. However, in real life experience, like computers, a student will have access to manuals and will look up computer commands, etc. unless he uses them constantly they are not 'burned' into his memory.
So an open book test can simulate a real life scenario.
Hi Bryant - Welcome to ED 103! You are so correct -so often students barely open their textbooks, thereby missing a valuable resource. We need to make them go to the texts; otherwise why have them purchase them? Best wishes - Susan
I agree to a point. Open book tests does simply test wherther or not you can look something up in a book, but it also assesses whether or not you have actually read the book. It is critical for our studetns to read the textbooks and follow the theories posed in those books. Open book tests acclimates students to the text and keeps them honest about reading and following information in those books. After all, those books are expensive, why not utilize them.
It is a grate technique for some pop quiz, after a reading material as home work. But I don't think it's interesting to use it in final exam.
I give open book tests in my class and it amazes me that the students dont get 100% all the time. I beleave in them because nobody knows it all my I think the key is can you go out there and find the information and learn about it as you need it. Thats what I think is the key.
Open book examinations are basically homework assignments with some in place direction. I prefer closed book exercises as a necessary factor evaluation of certain critical factors which students should master from lectures and other imparted material.
Open book quiz with time limit means student has to have knowledge of where to look for answer.
Its impossible to remember everything and arrogant to think you can (unless your a savant?)
i find no value in an open book test. All it shows is that a person can look it up. Class dscussions show me whether a person truly understands the material. Lots of students "freeze" on test
Hi Rose -welcome to ED 103. You are right open book tests (done well!) ARE more difficult to prepare. Similarly, they may also be more difficult for students to take.
To provide an Open or closed book exam really depends on whether the student as part of their career will have access to the information or if it is required as recall. I have no real perference, however I can tell you that preparing an open book exam takes longer and is more difficult to do. As you are really testing the student's ability to locate and apply the required data and information in a timely way.
Hi Peter- Here's a useful "Open Book Test Taking Strategy" sheet that you might want to share with your students.
http://www.ulc.arizona.edu/online_materials/workshoplow/EPTTopenbook.pdf
When we introduced open book testing I thought everyone would be getting easy 100%.
But, by putting a time limit on test it makes it impossible to look up all the information if student has not been paying attention in class and doesnt know where to fnd information unless they go through page by page.
This causes them to run out of time and so it is reflected in grade.
I have found it works very well
