I teach a forensic class and I use witten test but more importantly I garde hands on projects with a rubric designed to measure their skill levels performing each task.
I use a combination of multiple choice, true/false and short answer. I like to use the variety in gauging the student’s knowledge of the content. I know most of my students have expressed that they prefer all true/false. I just don’t feel that all true/false gives me an accurate count of the knowledge the students have retained.
true, knowing the strengths of the student would make the bridge of teaching easier and more understanding
I use a variety of multiple choice questions, true/false questions, fillin questions and short essay. I don't use essay as much because I find there is a subjectivity of which some students can take advantage.
Hi Lorraine- Thanks for your post to the forum. I like your strategy of choosing assessments based on learning styles. Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I try to vary the testing methods according to the learning styles of each class. This is especially effective with students that have iep's or special needs that must be addressed. Some students do not test well with one method, but can excell in another. It is a better way to test abilities and understanding.
Hi Laura- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree - confining feedback to just major tests is a bad idea. As you state, it is stressful and does not result in good retention of material.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I like to see the students build on their knowledge from class to class, rather than have a testing situation that creates stress and memory dumping when the test is over.
I do believe that the more the students are engaged is class discussions and provide sound feed-back by using class material, not opinion or emotion driven, the more they are apt to learn, remember, and apply the lessons later in the workplace.
This type of learning takes a great deal of observation from me and requires the students to demonstrate how their knowledge has expanded through intense class discussions, without taking things personally or giving
emotionally- driven opinions as facts.
Hi Katharine- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that verbal feedback used frequently is very effective. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
One of the most effective ways to assess learning I feel is feedback during class and or discussions about the topic. There are students that don't do well on exams, but have verbalized their knowledge without difficulty.
Our classes are divided into more formal lecture portions and hands on lab portions. Our Labs give us the opportunity to have one on one exchanges with student and time for guidance and encouragement.
I prefer multiple choice and short answer/ essay. Multiple choice questions test their knowledge but also at the same time help them with answering the questions by giving different choices. Short answer/ essay definitely test their knowledge of the information because the students have to answer the questions from their head, in which I believe is an excellent way to test a student's knowledge.
I use written and skills assessments. We are a health careers college training our students for hands-on work.
Use multiple methods in one exam
The minute paper is an excellent idea for students who feel uncomfortable asking a question in front of the class.
Hi Linda - Thanks for your post to the forum. Unfortunately the lack of writing skill is pervasive. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have found that most of my students are really only comfortable with T/F and multiple choice. I'm afraid their writing skills aren't where they should be and therefore any form of short answer wouldn't be to their benefit. L Gudmundsen
I use multiple choice, true&false, matching and sometimes labeling of pictures
Hi Sunshine- Thanks for your post to the forum. Your assessments are a very nice mix- great work!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I like to put a little bit of everything..multiple choice, T/F, short answer, some fill-in.
I also include some visual aides, like showing them prep solutions and asking specific questions about them.
