What happens now?
Dr. Meers, Once you have pretested, what happens if a majority or a portion of the class is lacking some of the pre-requisite knowledge? I mean, we cannot just go changing the syllabus to cover information from a previous class, right?
Evan
I often have the problem of having my class ill prepared to continue on to more complex content. If you have a program that can control the continuity of content area from beginner to mastery then I recommend that the class, takes a cummulative final and have beween class tutoring for weak students. I have the philosophy that even if the pretest was satisfactory in prior knowledge I always integrate the less complex content with the more advanced content. As I present the prior knowledge I have students discuss their ideas about how the prior knowledge is important to the present content and how is it integrated to fulfill a greater goal.
Bob Plotke
David,
Right you are about moving from the basics to the next step. The students can see the progress and are able to scaffold their knowledge as needed.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I also believe that you can begin each unit of study by hitting on the pillars of the core knowledge necessary to understand the new materials. Visuals like a hierachy can help.
When that happens you really have no choice but to slow down back up and corral the whole group in an effort to bring everyone up to speed. If you do not at least try to re-introduce the information they did not retain or get in the first place, you will not be able to move forward effectively anyway.
Evan,
You can't be a remedial class nor can you reteach background information that is lacking if that is not the purpose of the course you are teaching. I would talk with my school administrators and work with them to develop a plan of action for students that lack the needed prerequisite skills. There may need to be a tutor program set up to bring these students up to speed if they are going to continue with their career training.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
