Hi Gustavo, Thank you and Happy New Year to you! Thanks for sharing a great summary of effective assessment.
Susan Polick
Susan et al. -- Happy 2014. In my opinion testing needs to address the following aspects:
1. Avoiding assessment that encourages shallow learning;
2. Providing high quality, individual feedback;
3. Fairly assessing a diverse mix of students;
4. Avoiding plagiarism.
To assure the above points are addressed, a mix of different tests type should be used. Personal preferences are: (a) Multiple choice for large coverage of material; (b) essay questions for specific knowledge and higher-learning skills; and (c) standardized test to measure a class performance with prior and future students. Regards.
Hi Ray, Thanks for your post to the forum. You are doing an effective job at assessment of your students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I feel that the most effective ways to assess the learning of my students are the use of multiple choice questions, but rewritten to mimic the format of the certification exam multiple choice questions. I find that the students get confused between the multiple choice question format that involves chapter tests and the multiple choice questions which are found on the certification exam.
I think multiple choice question. It requires retention, memorization, recognition and also critical thinking.
I feel that the most effective ways of assessing is by testing the student in a variety of ways multiple choice, short answer or fill in the blanks and matching. I believe the form of test is highly dependable on the subject matter for example in a medical terminology course short answer test are a necessity because one has to assess there ability to spell the words correctly. I like using practicing in anatomy in physiology course because it allows me to assess the students ability to recognize the structures they have been taught.
Multiple choice test are used at the institution where I teach. The level of comprehension is identified.
Our students evaluated in three areas every four weeks. The evaluation includes not only grade assessment, but evaluation of professional development as well. We then have a more complete picture of student progress that can lead us to any area where we need to increase proficiency.
Hi Rich, Thanks for your post to the forum. You are using a good mix of assessments formats. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
In our VoTech environment here I like to see various methods used. Our written tests include multiple choice and fill in the blank style. This is used in conjunction with the hands on assessments that include both the physical assignment as well as the paperwork that goes with a particular job.
Hi Donald, Thanks for your post to the forum. Although short answer does take longer to grade, we can use it to assess higher order thinking. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Susan Polick
I use multiple choice tests but would like to incorporate short answer essays. The hope would be to give students an opportunity to express themselves in a less structured manner.
Hi Michael, Thanks for your post to the forum. Absolutely - if students do not know why their answers are incorrect , they learn nothing from an assessment!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Joyce, Thanks for your post to the forum. I especially like the idea of the "walk around final"!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I agree, I think knowing why an answer is wrong is often just as important as knowing the right answer.
I also teach a hands on lab. The final is actually a hands on final with a walk around fill in the blank test, in which the students must identify varrious equipment and instruments.. But they also get multiple choice quizes almost weekly to allow them to see their progress and be able to raise their grades by studying more in their weak areas. These methods usually work well for our students.
Hi Grant, If the assessment is a self-assessment, then self grading would be appropriate.
Susan Polick
What percent of students are not honest when testing? Can students be trusted to correct their own tests?
I try to use a variety of methods in student assessment. In class, I will ask questions in which answers reveal where the students are at in their learning. In actual tests, I try to mix it up combining matching, essay answers, short answers to questions, and visual recognition to PowerPoint images. In this way, you give the students options in which to show what they have learned. Also, different outcomes may be evident for students with different preferences in learning. If the test is diverse in its composition, all learning techniques can be employed and their effectiveness seen.
The most effective method of student assessment that I believe works first depends on what is being taught. If you are learning a practical skill such as MA then test and hands on assessment is best.
I teach Medical billing and I would like multiple choice, t/f and short answer and I would like for my students to also submit a correct claim.
