I am a new instructor and have not started teaching yet. Therefore, I cannot tell you what I have used. I can tell you that I have found this lesson very informative and plan to utilize an equal mixture of the assessment methods on my test so that it will give all the students the best chances for success.
Hi Scott- Wow - wouldn't it be great if we could do that all the time?? Our students would be thrilled! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. - Susan
When time allows, I have produced multiple assessment tools and let the student choose the one they would like to take...not always possible but students appreciate the opportunity
I usually use multiple choice questions which require problem solving to demonstrate student understanding of the process. A skills application assessment is also normally completed once in each class.
I enjoy using essay questions in my assessment. It takes a little longer to grade than a true/false or multiple choice test; but I am able to authentically assess my student with essay questions. I use essay questions almost exclusively teaching literature.
I use a different methods in my daily assessments and try to change them.Sometimes some simply work better with some and not the others but it always keeps it fresh for both the students and myself.
Hello Sabrina;
I agree that positive reinforcement goes a lot farther than negative comments in the grade book. I also teach online; and all of our assessment methods are writing - not so much with quizes; although there is but one quiz at the start. So the written content of our feedback must address student errors in a nice way while giving constructive suggestions for future work.
Thank you,
Marcia
HI Clare - Our programs also have required internships. As you relate, they really learn/experience the workplace skills that they will need to be successful! Thanks for sharing! Susan
Good Morning Susan,
We have had real success with our students working as interns with the Austin Builders Association here in Austin. They have really appreciated the professionalism and work ethics that they bring to their duties. This has been a real testament to the direction of their career and their education as we discuss their goals, dress code, showing up on time, listening skills and follow through with on the job training.
I have used all of the methods that were discussed on this module. I also ask the students to write down one question on a piece of paper that they think will be on the test.
Thanks Randy - and all the best to you in 2010!
Susan thankyou for your reply back and your support. Being an instructor is a challenge and everyday I get a little bit better at it. Best wishes to you and a great New Year!
Hi Randy-Welcome to ED 103! I think the pre-test is esppecially important. As you mention it lets you know where you should concentrate and decreases wasting time on material that the students already know. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
I need to echo Chef Roskin, in that I too am a Chef Instructor and use both a practical test of a demonstrated dish and a written assessment of the student. Additionally, I like to add a portion to either which requires the application of the information as it has not been seen previously. For example the students make Eggs Benedict and see it demoed but their practical assessment contains items to layer and a poached egg but other ingredients made in prior classes.
I usually give a pretest which consist of 20 multible choice questions. It lets me know where they are weak and I can spend more time addressing those areas. After about midway I test them again using a variety of multible choice, true/false, and completion questions to access their skills again.
Hi Sabrina- I was totally impressed with your posting! I hope that if you do not already mentor faculty, that you will eventually be asked to do so - you are a very effective and empathetic instructor! Best wishes- Susan
Students who want to improve are those who seek increased feedback). Negative feedback, however, is in direct conflict with a student’s self-esteem or ego defense. Compliments and encouraging remarks should accompany critical feedback. The tone and attitude with which feedback is delivered can enhance one’s self-esteem as seen from the response of a surveyed student:
• Thank you so much for all your comments. In the past, I thought that making mistakes meant that I was stupid, but I have learned better. There is no question that your comments, especially the first week, helped in pushing me to work a bit harder. I did learn a lot from this class.
Faculty members who choose to set-aside student deficiencies are short-changing the student making it difficult for future facilitators to reconcile these deficiencies. Faculty members need to work as a team in providing students with consistency. The quality of the graduates reflects the quality of the teaching.
• I was so depressed with my grade, I wanted to drop out of school, but then I read your comments. I wanted to thank you for your encouraging and complimentary words. I don’t believe you can imagine how much your more than kind words have meant to me! I think you’re a great professor and have definitely made my new endeavor more than worthwhile. I will not let you down. NO!! Correction—I will not let ME down.
Faculty members who forsake accurate grading for higher evaluations should not be handling a course. One can award an earned low grade coupled with constructive comments and still maintain the respect of the student while actually helping the student learn.
Facilitators are in the business of “changing lives” in a positive way. Many of the students are fragile and have forgone or previously dropped out of other curriculums.
The tools of the Online campus should be utilized in constructive ways to guide the students to achieve their goals. The facilitators must communicate and develop a sense of trust and personalization that allows the student to excel. Online students are vulnerable, and educators must be in touch with them in order to help them succeed.
I use a varity of methods in my daily assessments and try to change them up everyday on different individuals. Sometimes some simply work better with some and not the others but it always keeps it fresh for both the students and myself.
SInce I teach a lab class in Culinary Arts, the best assessment is to have the make the dish that is demonstrated. The students should be given a rubric for "correctness" and then it is easier to grade it and have them understand where they went right or wrong. I also like to give them a written exam to see the ratios and/or amounts they use for part of the assessment.
I have used a variety of the assessment methods discussed in this module. I find using a variety of methods helps to allow for a variety of learning styles in my students. It also depends on what information I am looking for students to present.
