Testing content should be consistent with the course objectives. This will enable the student to understand what they need to learn and will make it easier for the instructor to write concise fair questions.
Test contents should pertain to course objectives originally stated. Questions should not be intended to trick the students.
Agree!!!
My tests and quizzes are directly related to the course objectives. I may use an essay which gives students some latitude when answering, but the topic is based on course objectives.
Hi James, Thanks for your post to the forum. That timely feedback gives you so much valuable information! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I also agree with Anthony Spadfina on class Discussions and student feedback.
We do a lot of hands on learning in our courses so we test as we teach finding out where each students strength and weakness are to adjust each learning skill level so all are basically at the same place when it comes to final tests for each course.
The course objectives and what level of knowledge you are wanting to test are good criteria for choosing testing content.
The criteria for selecting testing content should be based on the course objectives. The objectives are what the teacher wants the students to learn. So, to determine if the students learned what was being taught, tests need to be linked to the learning objectives.
1- it should measure student learning.
2- it should come from different parts of the syllabus and thus testing all points of learning
3- the questions should be clear.
I was never a strong test taker. That is why I like to address many different learning styles when I am creating a test. I know that many students struggle with certain types of testing (such as essay), so I like to contribute a little bit of each type of testing.
For example: I teach art/design: I like to have a test with some fill-in's, multiple choice, short answer AND hands-on application. This way, I am assessing the knowledge... not how well they take a test.
Course objectives are a definite criteria for selecting testing content. Also, ensuring that the test content was actually covered in class is important. I give quizzes each week. This allows me to check the students' progress and help prepare them for the mid-term and final.
When setting the criteria for a test, one should look hard at what the lesson content is like. A heavey indepth factual lesson test would be different than a imformative lesson for a hands-on task.
I have found that students vary in the types of testing they seem to do well in. Most prefer multiple choice, however, a pop quiz usually gets ideas flowing before any type of testing.
Hi Brenda, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your advice on effective assessment is great. As you point out, doing things correctly at the beginning, can save a lot of headaches in the end! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
One way that instructors can ensure tests meet the criteria is to make sure the testing material is valid and reliable, meets the objectives of the lectures that have been given to the students and can be comprehended by the students. Doing this will free up some much needed administrative time that could be used on other tasks.
Criteria for testing content should reflect the objectives of the course. Criteria should also be relevant to the subsequent course.
Selecting testing content should be based on the facts you have covered in the classroom. When seeking to determine what students have retained, it is important to make sure you are assessing factual information and are encouraging students with various review techniques.
Being absolutely sure that the test questions reflect the content taught. I do like using the some of the standardized tests because it does save me time when I am already on task overload, however, it is important as I found out initially is that you need to read every question/answers for reliablility. I did come across from time to time wrong answers, ones that didn't make sense, or simply not appropriate for the chapter I covered. Remember it is computer generated; I have the mind. Review review review for integrity of not only the test but the instructor.
It come down to content, you can not test students on things that were not covered, there are people out there that do this. You need to make sure the content covered is on the test as well as fill ins this way you know they are actually learning and not just choosing with a 1 in 4 chance of getting it right.
Hi Bridget, That is very sound advice.
Susan Polick
The criteria should based on the syllabi and what was covered in the class never give a test on material that was not covered in the class
