Because I teach a basic science course with a lot of technical terminology, I have found both multiple choice and matching type tests to be effective for assessing the student's grasp on these areas. But because the consequences of human activities on the environment is also part of the course content, I use essay questions because these enable the students to link their knowledge of environmental processes with concepts of ethics, politics, and economics.
Hi Tracy - Thanks for your post to the forum. You shared a great explanation of why "practical" assessments are essential. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach at a career college where skill-based assemments are the most commonly used. I am teaching students how to be a baker or pastry chef. While the theory of baking is being tested by using an objective test; the skill application test is better suited to assess the students ability to perform the actual tasks of a baker. Understanding how yeast can raise a loaf of bread won't do you much good it the bread does not look and taste appetizing, and that takes practice. That is why we call our skill application tests "practicals".
As far as student success, the multiple choice and true/false tests are the best. However the completion tests, in my opinion, truly test the student knowledge of the content.
Hi John - Thanks for your post to the forum. For clinical/skill based classes multiple choice and T/F are indeed the most used choices. Application assessment is also important in many cases. Best wishes for success as you embark on your teaching career! Susan
Hi William- Thanks for your post to the forum. Have you tried putting students into teams and have them compete to see which team can successfully troubleshoot a problem first?
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Susan,
I am a new instructor and have been going through alot of training. From what I have seen so far, multiple choice seems to be used on most test and on the course ending finals. Although during labs, alot of short answers and some true and false are used.
I am just beginning teaching and so far have used the standardized tests. I teach adult IT students. I find the students are ok with True/False, and Multiple choice, but the closer I get to critcal thinking, even if the questions are simple they balk at them, like completion and short answer. In the field the critical thinking is very important to trouble shoot and diagnose problems.
Having the students write down on two seperate papers what they feel strongly about in their understanding of the content combined with the application of this knowledge to the work force realm. The paper that is filled out with what they feel are their weaknesses, or unclear understanding allows both the student and the instructor to have a direction that they should help with and focus on more in depth than the areas they feel strongly in.
I tend to use a combination of test types rather than one for the entire assessment in a course. On quizzes I sometimes use short answer, then next time maybe matching and the next multiple choice. On Unit exams I usually combine several types. I agree that standardized questions that come w/texts are nice to have but I do pick and choose questions and frequently modify or include some of my own so that I feel the material relates to what and how we covered it in classes.
With tests using such things as multiple choice and short answer have been very effective in our classroom. It gets them to really think about the content that they have learned. Also I usually hold study groups to help refresh the information and provide study tips for better test taking.
Hi Frank - Isn't technology great! Best wishes - Susan
I have been using a new system to do a pre-test in my classroom that has worked amazing. It is in a smart room and everyone has a controller and is able to input their answers right at their desk. The input then anonymously puts the percentage of the class that got it correct vs. incorrect on the board. Not only does this give me a good idea of where everyone is, but it also creates a community within the classroom that everyone can be relieved because they are not the “only person that doesn’t get it.†Additionally, it helps me find the outliers in the class because I can see who got everything right or who got everything wrong. This helps me identify peer tutors from day one and which students could benefit from the peer tutors.
Hi Diana - Thanks for your post to the forum. From your description of your assessment choices, you are tailoring them well to the competencies you need to assess. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I generally use multiple choice or multiple multiple choice. I use these to prepare them for the type of questions they will be taking for their state boards! Certain classes, like critical thinking i do prefer essay to test their skills.
I generally create my own exams. I know the material I have covered and I know what material is needed for their certification exams. If I tried to test on every single thing covered in the chapters of the books, they would be so confused, they wouldn't learn anything.
Hi William - Thanks for your post to the forum. Like yourself, there are many students who just do not test well so I agree that presentations or projects are a good option for them. I have found though that there are many students who dislike group work. Best wishes as you embark on your teaching career! Susan
I have not begun to instruct in my current job. I have had a number of assessments in my recent grad school courses, and I believe that I like the group project presentation the best. I know this wasn't covered as an assessment test in this module but as an adult learner I get the most from demonstrating my knowledge in a collaborative effort. "Tests", even multiple choice and T/F give me flashbacks to unhappy childhood school events.
Hi Reggie- Thanks for your post to the forum. As you mention, when we evaluate essay question responses we can gauge how well students can apply the concepts we have taught to answer the questions. If they cannot do that, they most likely have not understood the material. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have used essay or long answer assessment tools because it allows the learner to integrate a greater deal of concepts and it allows me to see those areas that perhaps need more reinforcement on my part as the instructor.
