It's easy to answer this question from the viewpoint of the instructor. However, I believe the real reason for evaluating students is to give them insight into how they are doing. We all need feedback - good, bad, whatever, we need it. We need to know what's working and not working. Evaluations actually turn out to be motivating for the students.
Hi Marcia:
In addition to your comments, reviewing a rubric with set expectations can assist the instructor with removing any misunderstandings with the students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Derrick:
Correct! In addition, it fosters a positive relationship between teacher and student and supports the hoped for concept that the instructor is always approachable.
Regards, Barry
Hi Giovanni,
In addition to your points, by considering what students have offerred in the way of "constructive criticism", it might help make the instructor more effective the next time they manage the course.
Regards,
Barry
1. To see how well the students are understanding the material being delivered.
2. To see if you need to alter your delivery methods.
3. To get a feel for how well they are responding to you, the instructor.
To discover any areas of content coverage that would be redundant, or would need more focus due to lack of student knowledge via the eval.
Formative and summative assessments are extremely important. Assessment should occur before, during, and after instruction. Not only can the teacher gage a students understanding of a topic or concept but the student also knows exactly where they stand. There are no suprises to anyone and both student and teacher have the information needed.
1. To see if they understand the material
2. test their critical thinking
3. see how well they perform procedures
When you evaluate them it should be with more than a test. Many students will only prepare for the test and then they lose that critical thinking that is so very important for on the job situations and even in life!
I think the most important part of evaluating students via exams/quizzes, etc. is to force them to recall material as they work through the test and then again as they review the test results.
Also important is knowing if I have adequately covered the amterial by studying overall answers to the questions, and the motivation test results give the students.
I was urged by a fellow instructor to use a morning quiz to help motivate the students to come on time to my 7:30AM 5.5 hour class. I haven't yet tried that.
Evaluating students allows for the student to see what they have learned, and allows me as an instructor to make changes to my teaching plan based on the assessment results.
I agree, giving evaluations gives the instructure a gauge of where his/her class is and if there is a need to step back and review material or if it safe to continue without leaving anyone behind
Hi Karen:
Good reply. For me, a very basic reason is to measure to what degree a student has or has not met the course objectives and student learning outcomes. If these are only partially met, that's not going to cut it in a reaql-wold work setting.
Regards, Barry
Hello Barry, in my opinion some reasons for evaluating students are:
1. To determine their level of understanding of the material, and whether or not they are ready for the next challenge.
2. To determine who is actually "peak performing," that is putting the extra time such as reading the textbook.
3. To determine if they are ready to apply the material on their own in their career. I am an IT instructor, and you want to make sure that a students knows the proper technique to work on a mother board, if not, this could be disastrous --if the do not know they proper technique they could permantly damage the computer beyond repair.
Hi Shawn:
There's a balance. Projects are a learning strategy, while assessment (quizzes, tests) are a learning measurement tool. Most course have some of both. Overemphasizing the instructional component without adequate measure may not accurately reflect the students progress.
On the other hand, too many assessments (too much weight towards a grade) takes time, and may not give the student enough time to digest, assimilate, and memorize the material, thus driving the grade downwards (perhaps unfairly).
One way to approach this is to use the course objectices as measuring tools. So, your lessons focus on teaching essential and collateral objectives, while your quizzes (and tests) measure to what degree the student has mastered the material.
Regards, Barry
I've learned I need to give more quizzes instead of projects. As a group I've had most students succeed and be part of a team, but individually, they needed more work to understand the course as a whole. I don't make my tests too difficult to frustrate my students, I make them so that they're relevant to how the world works as it stands right now.
Students need to know where they stand and that their deficiencies are. I believe in evaluating each students after each assignment or test is handed in so they have a clear picture of their status in terms of a grade in class.
Hi Greg:
Yes, students get a preview, but more importantly, the teacher learns where more or less emphasis is needed.
Regards, Barry
Hi Sandra:
For me, the main reason is to measure to what degree the student did or did not meet the learning and course objectives, or the skills that are needed in the work setting.
Regards, Barry
There are several reasons why students should be evaluated. The obvious reason would be to produce a final grade. Another reason would be to keep each student informed of their progress within the classroom. This would also provide information for me as to what each student knows or doesn't know, allowing me to make adjustments as to how I might teach the class.
evaluating students informs you and the student on were they are in the course and were they need to be.what information that was learned and did they understand
