Jason,
We do want students to be able to memorize successfully when needed, however, this cannot be the only way we assess what students know. Memorizing material does not mean the material is understood by the student - only remembered...we must find ways to check for understanding and assess actual learning.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Is standardized testing the best way to assess a students learned material? Probably not, but I don't think it should be discounted. Standardized testing and Content based testing cover the general information that is required to pass a course or topic of discussion. I find that if a student has taken the time to memorize enough material to pass the test that information usually stays with them. Are there exceptions? sure. I see it all the time, and even when someone passes a test many people tend to "throw away" the information learned. Evaluating the individual however is even more difficult. How do you tell one student he got the answer correct on a test because he looked for the answer or knew the information versus telling a student even though he guessed the answer correctly he doesn't get the point? That is where we use a hands on test to check their learning, but even then there are those who can slide by. this is where I have difficulty giving our schools "stamp of approval". which students do you send out to the world with a smile knowing they got it and which ones do you hope forget the schools name when they go looking for a job.
the students in this course work together in the lab (shop) several days during the 3 week class. I always encourage the group collaboration on the lab work and the work with the engines
James,
Yes, Q&A is extremely beneficial - how about group collaboration and synthesis ?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I have to follow the cirriculum in class, the other interaction I have with the students while I am delivering the lesson is all the questions with the class as a whole and individually with the students
James,
Do you use other methods along with quizzes to check for understanding?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
it's like taking a quiz on what you have learned in the middle of the lesson. the same reason that tests are given at the end of the lesson, to see what the student has learned in the lesson
Eric,
They also require new and evolving skills which should be encouraged and validated by assigning grade values. Good points...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
As we have been discussing, new generations have different ways of living and learning. If we were still using chalk boards and scan-trons we would be in a world of hurt with todays students.
jon,
Yes, each assignment should be tied directly to the outcomes of the course so that you, as an instructor, can monitor student progress throughout. Assignments and homework should not be "busywork" but work that has a purpose.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
we need to evaluate the process to determine if the student can use the the lesson to find the correct outcomeS if that makes any sence at all
Kassy,
Excellent points! Therefore, focusing on and valuing the learning process is key - that is also what supports ongoing learning.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
That is essentially the difference between knowing that and knowing how.. or simple Knowledge recall level of learning... good for remembering numbers or codes perhaps.. but not necessarily reflective of new knowledge construction. With a few exceptions, say math and some of the sciences.. the process of getting to an answer or learning outcome is more applicable than the answer itself.
With any endeavor it is important to continually evaluate whether or not the means of achievement match up with our intended achievements. This is necessary to any critical evaluation.
I teach criminal justice courses and continually have my students evaluate the process of criminal justice. If they determine that the goal of the criminal justice system is to create a safer society then we must evaluate the process on those grounds. If, however, the goal is to punish wrong-doers, then our evaluation of the process must be different.
Students have been quite surprised to learn that our criminal justice system often has conflicting goals and means. This has caused a fair number of them to evaluate the processes and outcomes in their own lives.
Melanie ,
Journaling (blogging) is a great way to help students work through a process - Wikis help them work together to "build" a project or writing piece. I concur that it is difficult to help students work through the writing process as they often want to "jump" to the end and simply produce something - thus losing out on the richness of the journey. So, I used blogs as a tool for them to explore their ideas, write initial paragraphs of those ideas and then expand the ideas and bring ideas together. I found it worked well - I also had my students use blogs to build their bibliographies as well :)
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Since I teach writing, I always ask students to include their prewriting, i.e. brainstorming with their paragraphs or essays. I stress that it will not be pretty but should be marked up, scratched out, added to etc. In spite of this, I often get prewriting that is nice and neat with only the points included that end up in the final product. Sometimes, I suspect that they do the prewriting post-final paragraph or essay, thus missing the point. Writing is a process and I get very frustrated with the above attempt to lead students through the process. They just want to sit down at the computer and type out the required writing. I even include the prewriting requirement in my rubric, so they get points for submitting it and I determine the quality of it on a scale. Any other ideas?
Kathy,
Yes, case studies are a lot more holistic than tests - also scenario-based questions and discussion encourage students to apply what they are learning directlu to contexts of meaning.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I agree that testing alone does not indicate what a student knows. I like using case studies where students have to think more critically about their answers.
Alan,
Yes, blended learning can increase the process of developing autonomous learners if, as you say, the instructors are able to change their role and understand the newer paradigms of learning. Good points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
In the arena of blended classes the instructor is making the transition from lecturer to facilitator. This is difficult for many teachers who have been and performed in a teacher centered classroom envornment their entire career. Teachers learning how to facilitate effectively is as vital to the process as the student learning how to engage the process without having the knowledge delivered with a spoon.
Allowing students the opportunity or (forcing them)to lead their own learning process via inquiring research and critical thinking application will enrich the learning process. Our students need to learn how to direct their own efforts through the process without being led by the instuctor.
Instructors need to create a rubric for the learning process similiar to that of the Bloom's progression. If the student has the proper guidance during the process then they won't be so hesitant to learn. They will have the confidence to engage the process utilizing the technology of choice.
