Jennifer,
I agree, you want a more accurate picture. You want to make sure that you have multiple points of assessment in multiple ways. That will give you that "picture" . Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dallan,
I think you have a great strategy regarding types of evaluation for learning. You want to be efficient in your evaluation and you seem to have that in hand. Good post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Julie,
But in an objective evaluation it doesn't always explain the answer right or wrong.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree with you, Nicole. Each week I use both objective and subjective tests. I believe that using only objective tests is unrealistic because in the "real world" they will not always have four answers to choose from. I like using rubrics for subjective assessments, however, I think that a rubric should not be too long and try to cover every aspect of a response. Instead, I like to use a rubric that focuses on no more than five or six areas, especially the main content we have just learned.
I use a combination of both as well. Although grading the objective evaluations are much easier, I find that the subjective evaluations tend to provide a more accurate reflection of where the student is at in terms of the learning objectives. They are also much more interesting.
We use multiple choice questions as our objective measure. We also have individual essays that we use as our subjective measure.
What a good idea Jared! I'm curious, do you do this with all of your online students? If so, do you set appointments with each? How much time would you say this involves each term?
There is a mixture of both in the courses I teach. Based on the school, many times the objective evaluations are already a part of the course so it's up to me to review these and give feedback in areas where I see a student struggling. I use more subjective evaluations through the discussions by asking open ended questions and determining, based on response, how well the student truly knows and can apply the information.
Hi Everyone.
I have used objective and subjective evaluations. I use various degrees of each. Some have all been objective, some have been all objective and I have also combined to use true/false, multiple choice and essay. This depends on the subject content. I use the results to not only evaluate the student, but to evaluate my contribution, so to speak, to the student’s learning journey.
Jackie
I have used subjective evaluations quite a bit. As was referenced already in this forum, a rubric should be provided so students know what standard they are being held to.
I use primarily objective assessments in accounting classes I teach. The tests and quizzes are a combination of multiple choice and problems. Both are objective because there is only one correct answer. Sometimes I will use a case study, wich is a subjective evaluation.
I have discussion board questions and indivdiual projects that are based on essay prompts each and every week. I prefer to have live students provide me 5 things they learned in the class the last meeting time in the first 15 minutes of class, but that's hard in an online class.
I have used subjective evaluations in evaluating students in my classes. I have done this through use of essays which were geared to seeing how each student applied knowledge learned in reading, listening and discussing with each other to a particular set of factual circumstances. What I have looked for is to see how much initiative each student has demonstrated by extrapolating the application of information gained during the class.
In my introduction course I have utilized a large amount of objective measurements but find them dry and sometimes confusing for the students. In my recent upper level courses I have utilized a large amount of essay exams which I feel provide a better measurement of the students abilities and allow for further feedback and discussion between the student-teacher.
I think there is a need and a place for both objective and subjective. The objective is a quick check if the student knows a fact. It's memorization. The subjective allows the student to connect the facts, expand and show understanding. Personally, I like and dislike the essay format. While the students can show their understanding of the topic the level of writing skill sometimes interferes and limits that.
Incorporating both is important because some students may test better with a specific type. Any assessment or evaluation must be done in a variety of ways to get the most accurate "picture". This applies not only in the classroom, but in any setting.
In my courses I primarily use objective evaluations for theoretical concepts. They are very consistent in their reliability. I use subjective evaluations when it comes to testing the student's skills, in relation to the overall objectives we are trying to reach. The subjective evaluations help me to evaluate if the student understands the material, not just that he/she has memorized information.
Yes, each answer, whether it is wrong or right, does give a feedback.
Kelly,
I agree with you. The value of using a mix of objective and subjective evaluations is the opportunity for students to use their newfound learning in different ways and possibly in different contexts. Good post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Julie,
Do you provide the feedback? It is important for students to get constructive feedback.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Anthony,
You make a great point. You have to keep in mind the workload issues of the instructor. It is so important that you as the instructor can manage it because you have to get the feedback to the students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
