David, very creative and innovative. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
Chris, I like study guides. I tend to also add some information that is above what they will see on the test so as to keep the focus of the test neutral and provide a better assessment of their knowledge of the materials.
Regards,
James Jackson
I use a game in my class to help them over the fear factor the day before a test bye splitting the class in two 5 tables a side i flip a coin to see what side starts ,a table gets to pick a table on the other side to ask the students at that table a question they derived from there notes in class and keep score on the two sides when they answer correctly ,when they do they pick a table to ask next question to encorage them and not be afraid and beeter there knowledge
I often give a "study guide" homework assignment the class before a test. This provides the students with the Types of examples to expect,(which they work at home) and we review it before taking a test. This way, they will know whether or not they understood.
I allow students to use the notes they took in class for any qiuzzes or tests. This definitely makes for a less threatening,less fearful and less stressful experience for them.
Chris, do you administer any types of assessments that measure what the student learned and will take away from the class? Interested in what preparation you may provide for such an assessment.
Regards,
James Jackson
Barbara, what type of review do you conduct after a test has been given and grades are issued? Post coverage of a test can also help students understand the importance of testing and helps to enhance the level of learning. Thanks for anything you can share.
Regards,
James Jackson
In my Math clasas we have frequent short quizzes on only the material that was taught that one night. The class is told at the beginning that there will be a quiz (sometimes small group, sometimes pairs, sometimes individual), AND they are always able to use their notes. This definitely reduces the stress level and usually increases grades of those who have difficulty with this subject.
There is always a fear factor with any test no matter who is taking the test. I always give a review for the upcoming test and give adequate time for questions. I always get a positive reaction from the class because it eases the anxiety, and centers the study time on the pertinent points. I always tell the students to put their energy where it will do the most good. Many of the students have jobs and families to tend to as well, and any help we can give them is greatly appreciated-it eases their stress. As far as threats of a quiz for ANY reason, I feel, is totally uncalled for. That is not, and never has been, a teaching technique.
Barbara, that is a really creative suggestion. It inspires the students to take good notes, keep them organized and takes a lot of the fear away that they can go through and answer the questions they already know and then can go back the last 10 minutes and use their notes.
Would also like to hear from others what you are doing to be creative with test taking and to use assessments as an extension to the learning process.
Regards,
James Jackson
many times I give take home quizes, but something I have done is, instead of giving them a study guide, I give notes and tell them to take the notes, because writing does help with memory recall for many learners, especially for the visual learners. I remind them that they know so much more than they give themselves credit for. On the final exam that I give them I encourage them to do as much of it as they can and if they made the effort to take notes that they can use the notes for the last 5 to 10 minutes of the exam. It gives them cushion and many times they are pleasantly suprised that they didnt even need their notes, but it took away some anxiety knowing that they had that option.
Karen, I like the approach of ensuring your students are comfortable with the materials. That shows great insight into preparing them for success. What are you doing in addition to this step to ensure the students are taking away the proper learning outcomes? Do you in any way review their success in future courses where the information you are providing to them is required? Your methodology would make for a great study and could provide great feedback for others to review.
Regards,
James Jackson
What I do is offer to allow the students to create their midterm and final by making up the questions themselves. Then in class we go over the topics that I want to test them on and they get a review. Then when they take the midterm/final, they have seen the questions, and are no longer afraid of taking the exam.
Brian: Sometimes, when students continuously show late, a threat of a quiz helps to make them show on time! Of course there are students that call/email ahead and explain they will be late, those students are never penalized by not taking the quiz. They are offered a chance to make it up.
Mr. Jackson: You brought up an interesting point in your reply to Kirk. I find that if I mix the type of questions, true/false, fill in, multiple choice and essay, I give all students the opportunity to do well.
Some may be better at one form than the other. I also ask them as a form of review to create their own questions and answers which I use on the test. I don't necessarily tell them that, but I tell them to study the questions we reviewed in class. It's a way to make the test less scary, and they participate in the making of the midterm/final!
Well stated Greg. Fear tends to come from the unknown or from past experience of a bad situation. An effective instructor will find ways to build confidence in their students and help them to understand that tests are an important part of the learning process. Some tests are required to measure knowledge while others can be used to grow knowledge. Using assessment in creative ways can go a long way towards helping students feel more confident about the subject matter and not come to fear the testing process.
Regards,
James Jackson
We use essays here to gauge the students analysis of the subject. Naturally, there is a lot of anxiety and fear of failure prior to the lesson and prior to the exam.
An effective technique that I try to apply is to reassure the students throughout the lesson that if they "slow it down and break it down", they will do fine. By lightening the atmosphere prior during the lesson and prior to the exam, the students feel more secure and actively approach the material/exam with more confidence.
Threatening to quiz students as a discipline control technique rarely produces the desired outcome and negatively affects the security aspect of the lesson. This may cause students to withdraw from participation.
In the end, have command over the lesson material, create a positive environment, enhance the students sense of security and empower the students through dialogue and expectation management and they'll succeed.
Greg
Students tend to doubt themselves even when they are prepared. I believe they are scared of the unknown. Taking your time to study and taking youe time while you are taking the quiz/test are great techniques to help you overcome this fear.
Anne, there are always challenges when bringing knowledge to the masses. Does not matter if you are teaching to a group of privileged and resource rich students or a group of students that may not have had access to as many resources or learning opportunities as may be the case with others. The challenges may differ but there are challenges none the less. The focus as an instructor is to understand your students, get to know them and build relationships so when opportunities exist to take advantage of a teachable moment. An effective instructor can also take full advantage of good relationship building to build trust and rapport with students which can ease the tension of test taking.
Regards,
James Jackson
I feel that most people approach a test with "some" fear or misgivings---I have seen very few people in my teaching career who just"loved tests" and were anxious to take them. Adults,especially, like to feel they know as much as they can possibly know about a subject,and most have at least some doubt about their knowledge which will show when they take a quiz or test. There are some students who have the "Fear Factor" as a major problem, and I have had to work with them for them to be able to take the test--even to explaining words in a question or the meaning of the question.
It is not at all appropriate to use testing as a discipline control technique. These are adults and you are belittling them if you have to threaten quizzes to maintain class control. The Instructor needs to take a Classroom Management course or work with an Instructor who knows how to maintain control to solve discipline problems. In Vocational instruction, there are all types of students and you will need to learn about them (also their problems which affect their learning) in order to be able to manage a class effectively---it can be a challenge at times!!
Anne Conway
Thanks for your feedback Richie. Can you share some of your experiences with respect to how you manage your quiz that takes place the before an exam? What is the purpose and what if any methods do you use to put the students concerns at rest with respect to those that are just not good at taking tests and are intimidated by the testing process.
Thanks for any information you can share.
Regards,
James Jackson
