Teaching to testing
I teach in a field where when they have completed college they are to take a state and national exam. We need to move our students from memorizing the material for the test and forgetting it to actually having them retain the info. How are they planning on passing the board exams if they aren't actually learning the material? I have started to use cumulative testing and that is seeming to help with that.
Hi Patricia:
With any style of testing, it might be a good idea to review the material and apply it to a real-life scenario (if you can).
Also, the advantage of evaluating and then reviewing a test with the group is that it might allow a student to gain a better understanding of the rationale they need to answer similar questions that will occur on future exams. Also, it might trigger new questions about the subject matter that will help to stimulate a better understanding of the concepts overall.
Regards, Barry
Hi Joyce:
That's true. One idea when selecting course material and media is to try employ as many teaching styles as we can in order to address as many learning styles as possible. Selecting material and presenting it in a visual, audio, and kinesthetic way is generally considered the most efficient method of delivery.
Regards, Barry
Hi MaryAnne:
One thought is no matter what method is used to test, it is important to review the information.
The advantage of evaluating and then reviewing a test with the group is that it might allow a student to gain a better understanding of the rationale they need to answer similar questions that will occur on future exams. Also, it might trigger new questions about the subject matter that will help to stimulate a better understanding of the concepts overall.
Regards, Barry
MaryAnne, I do agree with you. There are some careers for which students must pass national board exams, and they have to learn and retain and sometimes that means study, drills, and repetition. Have you used some games with this content?
Hi Vickie:
Pretesting is another way to review for "the real test". Some testing will require original thought (in most classes), so using learned or memorized information is a key assessment goal for the instructor.
Regards, Barry
Teaching to the test will only help the students pass the written examine. The student are expected to pass a written examine. The student should be given the material that will prepare them for the test by creating examines for the student to practice taking and requesting students to write a definition for each questions they missed on the practice test. Having an open discussion with the student for reviewing what was wrong with the answer they chose.
I also agree. I sometimes struggle with imparting to students that they must learn for life not just for the test.
A portion of students just memorize the info and then let it go when the term is over.
I agree with that Joyce. But we also have to remember that they will not get into the real world without passing the boards. I was a learn by doing student and i was still able to pass the boards without even studying. My struggle is getting students to understand that they need to LEARN the info that I am teaching them. I DO NOT want them to memorize for the test and then forget it.
Teaching to the test does not prepare students for the real world and until administrators learn this fact, students will continue to be under educated
