Review
Creating a test review help the students to be prepared.
Rich,
Great technique and strategy. Students should benefit more when supportive information accompanies the testing information.
Barry Westling
I actually aim for a little of both. I will review and ask specific test questions, all the while peppering in many related, but non-test questions. I find this helps them to retain or at least know what to study.
Eric,
Asking questions during a review requires stuidents to think. They may state imporatnt and less than important information, but with the instyructors facilitation, they are likely to touch on the most important points on their own, and they will never know for sure that they have actuially answered questions that will be on the test.
Barry Westling
Review is important, but too many instructors give away the answers to the tests in the review. When you do this, you are enabling your students to not fully participate in the rest of the classes activities.
David,
Good. Critical thinking skills development helps the student the most. There may be theroy and skills that need to be mastered, but in the work setting, there will be literally hundreds of situations that emerge that could never be prepared for in advance. But the ability to think through problems gives the student (graduate) the best opportunity for success in the workplace, and even in their personal lives.
Barry Westling
I feel like the best review offers a thorough overview of the content that a student will be tested on without giving them any specific information that will be on the test. I have seen teachers read the test questions and answer them one at a time. This method seems pointless to me because it doesn't help the students learn how to examine, interpret, and apply the course content.
Shelia,
Right! I call this "checking for understanding". It helps me not advance too far before I get a sense iof most of the class is ready to progress further, or if more review is needed.
Barry Westling
Reviewing the material can also help the instructor decide if this is a good point to have a test or if the material needs to be expanded on a little longer so that the student have a better understanding of whats being taught.
German,
Revioewing material before a test allows the instructor to check for understanding. The benefit is that any areas that remain unclear or still a little fuzzy can be cleared up prior to the test.
Barry Westling
