For sure I take a lot more time because I often provide exams of fill in the blank, so I am taking more time to review what a student wrote and also might have difficulty in reading what they wrote.
So I could easily revised my assignments and tests with less fill in the blank and go with true and false or multiple choice selections.
We actually do do not have any tests with essays on them. We use a scantron method for grading most of the tests that allow the students to just fill in the bubble and the machine grades for us. On a rare few tests, half of them are fill in the blank and the rest is scantron, and since implementation of this system our grading time has been drastically reduced.
All of our exams are pre-defined as part of the corporate developed unit. They are available for us in PDF file only, which does not allow us to make changes to the assessments. I have found that this creates scenarios that put the 50-50 balance askew, and I find myself wanting to supplement with additional questions that assess higher levels of learning.
This was a great module on use of time. I will be trying the web sites the module suggested. I am done re inventing the wheel.
Irina, It sounds like you have identified some powerful tools that help you drive efficiency. Great to hear. Easy test makers are great. A lot of times, these come with online test administration options and digital grading too!
Dr. Melissa Read
The Easy Test Maker, online Descussion groups and interactive websites are very important as the additional service.
I have started using a course outline it has made it easier.
The courses I teach have all of the assignments/assessments developed so I am unable to make changes to the format. That said, I find the format effective based upon the materials learned in our module. The tests are automatically graded and we, as instructors, are left to grade the assignments which are in essay format.
Dan, The typical day in the life of an instructor is often jam packed with activity. That's why you have the right approach by automating everything you possibly can.
Dr. Melissa Read
sometimes we get barely have the time tpost grades and attendance teaching 2 classes of 4 hours each with not a minute of break can be chalenging. that is why I try to keep all my quizzes and test on scantron, or using with fill in the blanks question that are pretty easy and fast to grade.
I also use scantron for midterms and finals and have more fill in the blank and matching for quizzes.
David, It sounds like you have a highly efficient system! I am intrigued. I am curious to know if this is something that your administration put into place or something you took on by yourself.
Dr. Melissa Read
Edward, I like your diversified approach. Some testing formats are perfect for streamlined grading. Others help us deeply test learning. Balancing our use of each method provides us great testing and grading outcomes.
Dr. Melissa Read
I give a number of essay quizzes. Based on this lesson so far, I like the part where the student underlines the important part of the essay answers. I will try this with my students.
When I write tests, I have a mix of short answer, T/F, multiple choice and matching. WHile the last three are very easy to grade, when I grade to short answer, I look for key words, and if they are applied correctly, then full credit is given. If the key word is there, but not applied in an absolutely correct way, I will give partial credit.
Vicki, Some question formats truly are faster to grade than others. That being said, some formats also more deeply test knowledge than others. So when selecting the best format, we've got to consider a few different things.
Dr. Melissa Read
I would agree with you on the essay questions, because they could take some time to grade especially if you are on a time crunch. If I were to ask an essay question I would ask for no more than five sentences and no less than three sentences. Essay questions are a good way for the student to explain in their terms what the question means or is asking. I like the formatted sheet for the specific goals for the student to know or accomplish. It sets the student on a right path and helps them understand what they are learning in the course.
I try to have only multiple choice on exams. Homework can be a mix of multiple choice and essay type questions, which makes it more difficult for grading and also takes more time.
I currently use an LMS (Learning Management System) to provide my students with access to course information and materials 24-hours a day. Assessments are also given and graded automatically using the LMS. Previously I used a testing-specific application to give and grade assessments. I always stay away from the essay format but, I am a fan of short answer questions. Short answer questions must be manually graded but having only a few questions in this format on each test helps keep grading time down. I usually give short homework assignments on paper for submission. In the future I will find ways to give those homework assignments thru the LMS so they can be graded automatically.
Our homework assignments can be modified like the course lays out. most assignments are handwritten and can be hard to decipher. Our testing materials are all multiple choice and easily administered
