relevance of quizzes tests
tests should be presented as a learning opportunity to the student and not the final evaluation of the course. tests give a student gauges and not finality
Hi Karine:
Quizzes reinforce segments of instruction. The key to transfering from short to long term memory involves primarily repetition for recall-oriented material, and understanding and repetition for analysis-oriented material. Of course, skills mastery require practice, practice and more practice.
Regards, Barry
I do not agree that quizzes measure short term memory. Quizzes cover smaller portions of learning material and objectives thus improve student's ability to comprehend and relate learned materials to course objectives. This type of learning helps student to pass final tests and commit it to long term knowledge/memory.
Quizzes improve study habits and motivate.
Hi Roger:
I am a big-time believer in repetition. Using it with quizzes and exams is a great way to use it in the classroom.
Repetition is effective in many other aspects in life, such as sports (refered to as drills or practice), theatrics (refered to as rehearsal or staging), etc. So, why not employ the same idea in education?
Regards, Barry
Quzzies measure smaller portions of the class material than exams and can be used to direct a students studying for exams.
I like to use quizzes to reinforce what I want the students to learn for the exams.
Exams and quizzes measure learning but they can also be used to highlight the most significant parts of the class material. No one will remember everything from a class but if I use the tests to emphasize portions of the material, I think students are more likely to remember something they have seen several times.
Roger
Hi Shannatu:
I agree most teachers and students probably understand "test" to mean something significant and summative (i.e mid-term, and final).
There may be different terminology used in different schools, or the way the assessments are conducted in a particular class are unique.
Regards, Barry
Hi Stephen:
To me, tests and quizes are a measure of the degree of learning that has occured over a period of time. Quizzes are shorter, more frequent asssessments that likely measure short term memory, while tests are a measure of retention of long term memory and essential knowledge required for the career or profession choice.
Regards, Barry
I don't really understand what you mean by this since in some sense tests are supposed to be summative evaluations. If you are suggesting that one incorporate other forms of evaluation in addition to traditional exams, then I agree.
