Get Your Students Hired
It helps by showing exactly how you can go about teaching your students. You will also see who knows more about a particular subject or a subject that majority of your students do not know
I think that diagnostic tests are a good way to start as it gives you an idea of just what level the various students are at.
I use a 'pre-diagnostic' in all my classes - it serves the following:
1) as an ice-breaker
2) previews course objectives to the student
3) gives me an idea about "skill" level
the diagnostic is not graded or collected but we go over the answers - I keep it short - about twenty minutes of Day One
I have had a lot of favorable reactions and very little negative from students
It helps determine the base level of knowledge of the students so that the instructor can plan accordingly for the content of the course and focus on areas that need to be focused on.
Hi Amy:
Also, they might show you what kind of student learner you have which can help you make more effective lesson plans.
Regards, Barry
Hi Aldgenette:
Another great thing these tools allow is to show the instructor what kind of learner they have, which can help make for more effective lesson planning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Ernest:
Exactly! These tools can help show us what kind of student learner you have, which can help the instructor make a more effective lesson plan.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cory:
Good thoughts. One benefit I find useful is I know where to place (or remove) emphasis to maximise the student learning experience and to make the most of the time I have allocated.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cheryl:
Also, pretests can help show you what kind of student learner you have, making lesson planning more effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Martha:
In addition, they may help show you what kind of student learner you have, making for more effective lesson planning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jim:
Due to the reality you are describing, a lot of institutions use prerequisite courses prior to starting the class.
Understandably, this may not be a practical solution for every scenario, especially if the institution in question is trying to run a successful business.
Regards, Barry
Hi David:
Also, these can help show you what kind of learner you have, which can help make lesson planning more effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Tom:
And, these can help show the student what they are missing for a full understanding. If they know this, they may be able to work on it before or during the class to help themselves keep up with everyone else.
Regards, Barry
Hi Laura:
To piggy-back on something you wrote, these tools are an effective way to measure what kind of learner your student is, which can help make for more effective lesson planning.
Regards, Barry
I use a pretest becasue I get a great feel of where the students stand and am able to adjust any future lectures if I see a need that a good percentage of the students are not comfortable with.
Hi Beverly:
I don't always pretest. Usually, when I'm totally unfamiliar with the student cohort I'm dealing with, a brief "Where are you at" kind of non-graded test is received well, and the students usually appreciate taking a test that doesn't count.
Mainly, I want to see where I need to put my emphsis, so it helps me as much as the students.
Regards, Barry
I think the pretest is an excellent idea.
I make it a point during the first meeting of the students to have each of them introduce themselves and to relate any experience they may have in the course I am teaching.
For one of my courses, I was given a group of students from a curriculum outside the course which I was teaching. The pretest I gave them after their introductions helped me realize that only one student among them actually had ANY knowledge of the course. My "Plan A" for the course was almost immediately thrown right out the proverbial window.
Hi Michael:
Super! One of the best ways to see where you want or need to place emphasis is by pretesting. Students usually don't mind either, especially if it's not a graded test.
Regards, Barry
Hi Bradley:
Also, you can guage what kind of student learner you have, which can assist with making more effective lesson plans.
Regards, Barry