For the written class side, all of our questions are either true/false or multiple choice. I don't even have a say in what questions are on a test. Labs on the other hand show their hands on skills and I have/have had input on how the lab sheets are configured. Lab task paperwork consists of short answer, essay, and matching. I generally like short answer and essay because I get a better idea of how well they "get it". Only negative is that the short answer and essay questions take much longer to grade.
As a computer systems instructor, learning assessments for my class break down into two major categories (written assessments & hands-on/lab assessments). While they are certainly different, both are necessary in order to succeed in this career field. Students vary in which of these two categories they are strongest with, so by providing nearly equal weight to each, the assessments can be fair to all students.
For the written assessments, I always write my own tests to coincide with the lecture notes I have given. I choose a variety of question types as well (T/F, Mult. Choice, Matching, Short Answer, Fill-in). This variety enables for higher levels of learning assessment than any one question type can provide.
For hands-on/lab assessments, students must successfully complete the labs. I will usually help out by giving clues & guidance, but sometimes I will make students work alone to assess their problem solving, reaseach, & troubleshooting skills. These skills can be assessed through written assignments as well, but there is a difference between talking about something & actually doing it!
I like to use multiple choice questions because I feel like it gives the student the oppotunity to really think about the question and figure out which answer is correct. They learn how to rule out the wrong answers even if they aren't sure of the right answer.
Since I teach physics, which involves concepts and mathematical formulas, we give problems that students need to solve. More than the required equations are provided so students do not need to memorize them, but they need to know which ones to use. This tests their concepts, while the application of the equations tests their mathematical skills.
I use multiple choice questions. I also like to give classwork and then go over the multiple choice questions and help the students to make sense of the wrong and right answers that they have chosen
I believe that the most effective method of assessing my students is the Skill Application Tests which tests their knowledge of both the format of various documents and the various commands that are used to produce the documents.
Hi Innocent, You are using a nice mix of assessment types with your students! Susan
Susan Polick
I generally use varied methods. I combine multiple choice,true or false and matching. However, I do not completely rely only on this methods only in assessing my students to avoid undue memorisation, I give them alot of home work,group projects and in-class quiz based on subjects thought. A combination of all these gives me a more comprehensive assessment of what a student has learned.
I feel the most effective way for assessment is; constant re-inforcing the material. Test questions are a great way to measure retained knowledge, but what about kinistic knowledge. I think you should test both ways to ensure all objectives are being met in that class.
I feel that Multiple Choice Tests coupled with a Lab test are effective methods of student assessment.
I prefer to use several types of tests. I use multiple choice because it can cover any topic easily; T/F for clear cut answers; matching for vocabulary and skilled participation to determine transferrence of knowledge to ability
Hi Jeffrey, Thanks for your post to the forum. Happily, we all learn from things that do not go as expected! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I prefer to use multiple choice, fill in the blanks, true/false and matching. Seems to be the common answers from what i'm reading also. I recently tried a fill-in section where the students had to list several answers and it was a complete failure. It felt like a failure on my part, as they all missed several of the listed answers, and also because they obviously did not get/learn anything from that testing method.
I do use a lot of multiple choice in my classes. the students will take their board exams in this format and I hope to make them feel comfortable in this format. I also teach test taking skills in relation to standardized testing, which is what the baord exams are. I think we hear way to much about test anxiety and I feel a large part of this is poor test taking skills, not lack of knowledge. when I want to discern how much a student has "learned" I will add short answer and essays to give me an idea of where I may have missed opportuinities and can emphasize these topics more. I still think critical thinking is the hardest for students to absorb. Placing informaion in a usable real world format versus "book" knowledge or facts.
I feel the most effective way is to use a variety of assessments. Every student has their exam strengths and weaknesses. Some students have a lot of anxiety about exams also. I usually show my students what the exam will be like so they can prepare properly and avoid any anxiety.
As a teaching assistant I do not create tests myself. The instructors that I have worked with have used a combination of T/F, matching, and fill in the blanks. I like to suggest a few short answer as an opportunity for students to display conceptual knowledge, as well as recall and recognition.
In our school it is the practicum. Testing the various skills that they learned during the quarter with a hands on test.
Hi Allen, Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that usually we need to match the assessment type to the discipline that we teach. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The type of exams used should greatly depend on the type of course we are teaching. For example, I teach in a medical assistant program and many of the courses I teach are hands on; I try to limit didactic, but the exams I give are short answer and multiple choice. I feel these types get the best information out ofmy students
Hi Dorothy, I agree- I know my students ask me for examples of completed projects so that the have a better idea of what I am looking for. I save examples of the best work I have received (with names etc. removed). Best wishes! Susan
Susan Polick
