I like to apply a variety of testing formats, mutiple choice, short essay, practical exam.
I avoid true or false as guessing can be 50% correct.
The amount of material needed to be covered to essentially complete the course.
how will the student use the information in the field
I give 5 tests per term and I mix up a combination of multiple choice, essay and true-false. So far they seem to like my set-up.
I think it really depends on the subject matter sometimes in culinary you need to just test the skill not the written knowledge.
Based on the information in this section, I would use a variety of the techniques in on exam. I am currently using comprehensive projects.
Hi Susan
The criteria depends on the class I am teaching.If teaching beginner level classes I use mostly multiple choice, true and false and fill in the blank and very few essays. When teaching the more advanced students I will add more essays.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Depending on the class I will often try to use multiple testing formats throughout. Students will perform better under certain tests and I want to gibe them all the opportunity to succeed.
Hi Lyn - Thank you for your post! The assessment that you describe is quite comprehensive and absolutely appropriate for the discipline that you teach. Best wishes - Susan
Hi Susan, I would guess that depends on the size of the class and the level of the students.. how far they have progressed in their degree program. Upper division courses would probably have more essay questions or at least more advanced essay questions :-)
I teach natural science classes, such as biology. Assuming it is an intro level class with a lab and about 25 students or so, for the lab portion, I would use objective questions combined with a "lab practical" - to test lab skills and applications.
For the lecture portion, I would try to give several short quizzes, (diagnostic), with a variety of objective questions to check progress. Then at the end of units, I would give a "bigger" more comprehensive test with a combination of the various kinds of objective questions, a few short answers, and one essay question.
As the module points out, these all test students' knowledge in different ways so it is good to "mix it up." Plus, I think students like variety in a test, just as much as they like variety in delivery of content. A test of all matching would be pretty tedious!
Regards, Lyn
We select testing formats based on what we are trying to evaluate. If we are evaluating hands on practical exams, we use a rubric and taste the product. If we are trying to evaluate theoretical knowledge, we use multiple choice exams.
In our discipline skill application is the most reliable method of evaluation, as it is skill based
