GREAT IDEA!! I believe it would give valuable insight for me as an instructor to know what my students already know and can then prepare my lessons accordingly ... by linking to a previous knowledge base. What a great way for students to compare their growth since they first began their training. :)
Jessie,
Right on. This is the benefit of using pretesting.
Barry Westling
When a pretest is administered, the results can show what students already know--material that don't need to be retaught or it can show what students don't know--material that needs to be taught.
Salvatore,
Great! You've just identified the meat of why pretesting can be beneficial. Wonderful.
Barry Westling
I recently had an issue with students having a problem with a specific topic. After a lot struggles I was able to pin point the source of the problem. in this case it was a lack of basic understanding of percentages and how to calculate them. If I had pretested on basic math skills needed for my course, I would have saved myself and the students a lot of stress and time.
Blake,
Great, I hope this works for you. I have never had a stronger student complain about the level of material being tested or presented. Nearly all can always do with a review of material. Students are usually so interested in their specific grades that they don't seem to mind easier to grasp course material.
Barry Westling
Faced with an unknown group of students, pretesting would allow me the opportunity to get a 'feel' about each individuals knowledge level. I understand this pretest must naturally be easy to understand and short in nature. Based on this feedback from the students, I should be able to customize my presentation of the material - in effect, being able to present the material at a level which can be understood by each student while not alienating the more 'knowledgeable' student.
That's a good idea! I do a verbal one sometimes.
Jeff,
I like to use a "unofficial" pretest as a ice breaker kind of activity on day one. With no expectations or grading concerns, it's a great way to loosen everyone up, get a discussion going, and learn something about one another in the process.
Barry Westling
Even when the students have had prior course work in the discipline, a pre-test helps them review their knowledge or helps find areas they will need help with. I usually read handouts in class with the students, each of us taking a paragraph, and we discuss the material as we go. This helps gauge their reading skills and ability comprehend written material.
Reshona,
Great. Remember, too, that these pretests can be as much or as little as you feel is needed or you want to find out. Even just one or two questions can be appropriate at times.
Barry Westling
I think I'm going to start using this a teaching method because all instructors don't teach the same way and all students don't get the same material from the class they may have taken together. Good way to know where my starting point is and what there strengths and weaknesses are.
Sandra,
Yes, and sometimes I find there is great disparity between high and low achievers, and that requires adjustment in the instructional plan. Thank goodness the pretest can help identify some of that disparity.
Barry Westling
Pretests are excellent tools to use as planning tools. It helps the instructor assess what students already know.
Wayne,
Great. I'll give a pretest and then immediately allow each one to grade another's paper. This allows me to clarify and introduce new information, sort of a previews of coming attractions.
Barry Westling
Utilizing a pretest allows the instructor to assess the student's current knowledge on the specific topic. This allows the instructor to fine tune his presentation to the class.
I also allow my students time to locate the correct answers and add any additional notes so that this pre test might be used as an additional study guide.
Charles,
Great. It's good to hear participants feel they are receiving benefit from these modules.
Barry Westling
Although I have not used a pretest in any of my classes, I imagine it is a wonderful idea to help me plan my instruction.
I will certainly use it.
Krista,
A pretest may help in this kind of situation. Probably more important is to have the instructor's willingness to modify their instructional plan in order to meet the needs of the students -- not all are so willing.
Barry Westling
This is very important if you've never worked with a particular group of students before. I learned this quickly when I taught a different major than usual at the college I work at while substituting for another teacher. The first class I was totally above their knowledge level, no one understood anything and it was uncomfortable because there wasn't any class discussion due to this problem. I quickly fixed it and explained things in easier terms and no longer assumed that they already understood basic microbiology. The class went much better after that.
