I use Rubrics in all of my courses. This give them the exact criterion I will be using to grade the assignments. Also, a great reference when students disagree with their grades.
Perry
Christopher,
I love how you stated "objectively thread the material subjectively to their own experience." That is so well put. It does allow students to transfer their new found knowledge and/or skill to their own lives and make it their "own".
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think subjective tests tell you a lot about the student and how much they understand the material. I found that when you ask the students to relate the question to their personal experience – it provides them the opportunity to objectively thread the material subjectively to their own experience. This gives the student flexibility relating to the material but allows the teacher to evaluate the higher levels of learning.
Erina ,
Agreed. Don't think that you have to use subjective if the objectives you are assessing don't merit it. You want to use the appropriate tool for the job.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Donielle,
Yes and if that is all you want that is fine. You have to make sure that you are assessing based on your course objectives.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Douglas,
Great post. I think you are on the right path. I think in most areas, the use of both types does allow for deeper assessment of knowledge.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I teach accounting, so for the most part that is objective based. There is not much room for subjective interpretation when you are dealing with numbers. However, at times, a subjective response is needed to address a scenario that is open ended, such as with ethics questions.
Evaluations in my course are objective evaluations, which have been very effective in that it is a clear answer.
I teach Sociology courses. In Sociology a great deal of the content and evaluations are subjective. I like to use a combination of both objective evaluations and subjective evaluations in most sociology courses. I use objective assessment to test the knowledge related to Sociological theory and facts related to the content in the course. I then use subjective evaluations such as papers or essay questions to assess knowledge and understanding of Sociological concepts like conflict theory, functionalism or topical issues like the evolving family in US culture. In a Sociology course we really need both objective and subjective evaluations to measure and test both aspects of a Sociology course.
Sarah,
I agree with you. I tell my students I have never been asked to take a test for money in a job. I am only asked to do what is required of me based on my knowledge and my skills.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Samantha,
You are correct. Instructor workload has to be considered. When the LMS often grades the objective pieces, it can be efficient to add the subjective pieces.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
Thanks for sharing Jared! It doesn't take that much time if you schedule them. I also use virtual office hours.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
What great strategies regarding student learning. That is the purpose of evaluation is to observe gaps in learning and address them. Good post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jacqueline,
That is what all educators should do! Use the information to evaluate gaps in the learning and address it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
You are right. Students have to know the expectations of the subjective evaluation. They also have to know if punctuation and grammar are a part of the evaluation.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Catherine,
Case studies are great tools. They really put a real life spin on the evaluation. Accounting though, there are certain concepts and terms you just HAVE to know.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jennifer,
True, but you can have them journal them or tweet them. That might work. I think it is a great idea, what you are doing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Edward,
Very innovative evaluation. that is what you hope for in an evaluation of a student. Can they use what they "learned"
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Nicholas,
There is always a place for objective measurements. Students have to have an understanding of the lower part of Bloom's before they can master the upper portion. You are right, they are dry. You may have them explain why an answer is false or when would a true be false. Just some thoughts. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sueanne ,
I agree with you. Both have valid purposes. It is frustrating when students don't show a level of of writing or don't see that its important regarding assessment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
