I tend to start with looking at the course iteself. Some classes provide a completely foreign content and therefore would probably start with using multiple choice to assess the students while giving them more options (process of elimination). Moving forward I would mix up the text between several types of exams switching between formats that require skill assessment and those that are more textbook content assessment.
Hi Kori -Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, some courses just do not work well with the scan type of tests. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I usually have classes that consist of 30 students each, so I would love to create tests that are easy to grade. However, I don't because that is not a fair assessment of what the students learned. I teach Math, so depending what I am asking, ie solve an equation, new vocab, I may use a short, numeric response or matching. I try to mix things up as far as the type of question I use.
Hi Laura- Thanks for your post to the forum. Grading essays can indeed ve very subjective. I make sure that I creat a rubric for each essay assignment to limit subjectivity. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Based on educational material, I like to include a variety of formats - my least favorite is essay as it contains the most subjectivity. I believe that multiple choice, true and false and fil in the blanks can solicit the same information as to students learning
Hi Frank- Thanks for your post to the forum. The rationale for your assessment choices is solid!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I determine my testing formats based on the courses I am teaching and the background and learning preferences of the students. For example, in a management class I may include one or more case studies on an test. In a medical course such as Medical Insurance which is mainly informational the test would be mainly multiple choice.
Wow Kurt - you have a LOT of experience in online course design! I agree with your choices of assessments based on the type of course. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I teach exclusively online and therefore I have access to built-in test creation features of the online classrooms. I also have developed over 100 courses for various institutions and have been responsible for the creation of assessments in those courses.
Most times, I am working with a textbook and publisher who provide pre-created tests for each chapter in a format I can load directly into the classroom then I can go through the tests and select the questions I want to give to the students. The questions range from true/false, through multiple choice and matching, to short answer or even essay. I select the type of questions based on the type of course it is and what the course objectives are for the students. If the course is geared toward applied skills, I will generally use more short answer or essay questions. If the course is more theoretical, I use more true/false and multiple choice questions.
Another (although not as important) consideration is that in a lot of these online courses, the number of students is quite large, so grading time becomes an issue. A good mix of automatically graded questions like true/false and multiple choice, along with a couple of short answer that the instructor must review seems to provide the best overall assessment versus grading time balance.
Kurt
I agree with Heather I have been teaching 10 plus years and have found no matter what class I am teaching this formats works well. I also include matching for vocabulary terms depending on the class I am teaching.
Hi Samone- Thanks for your post to the forum. You shared a very comprehensive approach to selecting assessments! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The criteria that I use for selecting testing formats are as follows:
1. Student learning style
2. Course objectives
3. Means of measurement
4. Content being tested
5. Past success levels on testing format
It is also important for teachers to review their testing formats often to ensure that the format that they are selecting to utilize in their courses fit well with the student learning style and outcomes for the course.
Hi Lori,
I agree with your statement, if I was given the opportunity. Variety is the key to learning, and more so with teaching. Good Comments, Chris Graves.
Hi Laura,
After reading your post I realized that I am testing my students everyday, even if an actual quiz or test is not used. When teaching I ask (quiz) my students about the subject matter using objective means. Thank you for your comment, Chris Graves.
This is a good question, but a little difficult to answer due to being an online instructor. I only give one (1) test/quiz per session and it is of the objective nature. I don't even administer the test, instead, I just comment about the results to the students. This particular test is multiple choice in nature. So, in conclusion, the criteria I use for selecting testing formats is simple, I use the test that is required by the University I work for. Thank you, Chris Graves.
I use a variety of formats. It is based off of what I am trying to get across to the student and how I think I am able to get that information across to them.
The level of understand of a concept, and the ability of the student to apply this understanding, both drive the format I use for testing.
Hi Tricia - Thanks for your post to the forum. You make a very good point about using essay questions occasionally in skill based courses - thanks for sharing! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I like to select testing formats based on the course. Many of the courses in the program we have are skill based. I like to offer essay questions because we are training our students to speak with clients. When they answer essay questions it shows me if they have a clear understanding of what they should be telling a client.
Hi Robert - Thank you for your post to the forum. Your assessment strategy is very comprehensive - great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
