Yes, a skills test is more geared to what the student will see in the field.
Since I am interested in the students' application of the content, I use short answer assessments, some of which ask direct application of the content. These have no right or wrong answers per se but are dependent upon the student's applying what he or she has learned.
Elizabeth
Hi Jennifer- For knowledge that is skill based application assessment is a must. As you mention, as we watch our students we can easily see what they have grasped and where they are having difficulties. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I've used skill application with success, since students enjoyed the chance to demonstrate what they've learned. I also saw what they didn't know & can give more attention to those sections in the next quarter's classes.
I generally use the standardized test that comes with the CD or Instructors manual for the course. However, I do not use the same format for each quiz/test. I create worksheets that cover the material we discuss from the test bank. For example the worksheet may be in completion format, but the quiz/test will be in multiple-choise format. I believe it helps to expose the student's to all the different types of questioning formats and prepares them so when they take certification exams.
I teach medical office assistant program at a career college. I use multiple choice questions, completion, and true/false. I have both multiple choice and completion questions more effective because they test memory of a student and I have found them working better for my students.
The first thing I do is a Pre-Test, so I can see how much knowledge the students have.
Then quizzes every time I finished a Chapter, is better for them, they can trained their brains to have more retention in knowledge.
skill application is great to test students needing to master clinical skills
The program that I teach encourages instructors to use a variety of styles of test questions. In each test, we use a combination of multiple choice questions, questions that require one word answers, and case study questions that require paragraph type answers. This encourages the student's critical thinking in all aspects of the study.
Hi Carolyn - Thanks for your post to the forum. How large are your classes usually? Having students be prepared to read back their notes at any moment is good practice for what they will be expected to do in the courtroom. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach Court Reporting classes and we dictate material & the student reads back during class from their steno notes. It keeps them focused knowing that they have to stroke it so that they can read it out loud to the class.
The skill applications are good for this program in order for me to assess the students skills by demonstrating the correct technique.
I have used multiple choice tests with excellent results. I have also used matching, short answer, and essay tests for my students. The only type of test that I never use is true/false. I have found that often it is one word that "trips" up a student that causes them to get the question wrong. A lot of my students suffer from some sort of test anxiety so I make sure to keep my tests as objective as possible.
Renee Bipes
Hi Alexxis- Thanks for your post to the forum. Even though "Test" often evokes negative feelings in students, as you mention it is possible to come up with assessments that students will actually enjoy! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I agree - being able to add new ways to assess your students not only engages them more often - but keeps them guessing on how they need to learn and what they need to learn for any set of circumstances.
Hi Dolores- Thanks for your post to the forum. I think that it is a very good idea to have students tell you how they will complete a procedure before demonstrating it. It gives you a chance to ask the relevant "Why?" questions. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Working in a clinical setting. Most are skills/knowledge. I have the student verbal walk through of the procedure they are going to do before doing it. This gives me an assessment of what the student knows, and if they are able to complete the procedure successfully.
With my students, assessment occurs on vaious levels. The students are, of course, given regular tests and quizzes, but also have skills they must be able to perform without couaching, and research project with classroom presentation.
I really like to use a pre-test to see what is known and a post test at the end to see the progress
I try to use multiple choice tests that mirror the licensing exams.
