As a writing instructor, this is a difficult question to answer, because I feel like it's my duty to assign a certain number of writing assignments to truly test their competency.
However, I have noticed that having a large portion of the work due online, in discussion boards or blogs, helps take the pressure off because I can reuse comments via copy and paste.
Hudson, It sounds like this method serves both you and your students the best. That's a healthy balance.
Dr. Melissa Read
I try and do multiple choice, short answer, matching questions for my tests. So that does save time. I think homework assignments I will have the students exchange homework o we can go over it and they could correct it in the process. This will definitely save time.
Dr. Read:
I already use scantrons for exams, so those are easy to grade.
I recently streamlined the homework for Fundamentals. Instead of turning in homework every week, the students had four homework assignments due containing four chapters each.
These were spread out over the module with the goal of giving them time to focus more on the content and preparing for exams.
Each packed took awhile to grade, but for me it was better than grading the weekly homework.
I teach culinary lab classes. I have multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching and short essay. I need the wide array of choices so that I can gauge the level of the students knowledge and if they understand the techniques and theories being taught.
Sherice, Sounds like a great approach. I'm curious to hear more about what specific method you will use to make things more clear.
Dr. Melissa Read
Jerome, It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of managing expectations. This is great to hear. It can save you and your students a lot of heartache if everyone is clear on goals and process from the start.
Dr. Melissa Read
My assessments are mainly multiple choice for easy grading, plus that is the format their certification exam will be in. I also add a few short answer questions at the end of the test that I can skim quickly to make sure they understand, rather than simply memorize. It makes for quick grading.
I will format my exams and homework assignments differently in the future by utilizing a clearer pattern of organization during grading.
On day one I cover the testing process with the students, outlining the number of tests and the type of multiple choice questions our school uses, and that they are graded by a scanner. Before each test I review the grading and testing process with the class so their are no misunderstandings as to the final results.
I too avoid essay questions. Fortunately, in a nursing program, there are many other ways to evaluate students with alternate format questions.
I use scantrons and love them. We also have textbooks that have a lot of online resources, including: test banks, Power Points, and activities. This makes it so much easier to create each teaching session and add some variety.
I tend to be an organized person, so I am already employing many of the suggestions included in this course.
I am a overt-the-road truck driver instructor and my students must past a State exam, so i use their guide lines to see how my students are doing.
I HAVE to join those of you who have embraced the 21st century and incorporate this new technology into my testing methods. this course just might be the motivation I need, and I have "bookmarked" the sites provided in this course so that I can go back and enroll. It's time I "got with it"!!!
What I have implemented recently is doing exams online therefore they are easier to grade. The exams are automatically graded after the students finish taking them.
More often than not, I give multiple-choice exams. Much easier to grade and thus, less time-consuming. I find that if I absolutely have to give an essay exam, it is usually in a course like Ethics where the answers are not necessarily right or wrong, but rather opinionated. This makes it easier for me to grade since I'll assess it on how well-formulated the answer is, not if it's correct.
My school is totally electronic so I don't need to manually grade exams and homework. Since we have gone electronic I am amazed at how much time I have to do all those required administrative tasks!
I've worked with the students in developing a format for homework to make the grading process much faster. Also, our tests are done on scantron for the most part, which has saved us a lot of time grading.
Mary, That sounds like a well rounded approach. It's nice to be able to use some efficient grading techniques and also some that more deeply test knowledge.
Dr. Melissa Read
I will continue to use multiple choice and true false questions for exams. They can be graded easily with scantron. In order to promote critical thinking, I require written responses to pertinent questions for homework assignments.
I will format your exams and homework assignements differently in the future by utilizing the techniques learned. I will research materials via author and publisher to see if there are other materials that I can utilize to teach a class on a subject I am not familiar with.
