pretesting gives you an idea of what the students general knowledge is of the course content, by giving them a pretest it helps you to determine what their strengths are as well as their weaknesses are. Then you are able to make course outline fit to their needs and be able to teach to their needs.
Hi Patricia:
I don't think anyone expects pretesting to be done all the time or for every class. It's a tool, and we don't use every tool on every job - nor should we do pretesting for every class.
Brief pretesting can be done in three situations:
* At the beginning of a class to see where your students are at.
* Prior to a test to see if the students have mastered key concepts.
* As a comparison between student groups, teacher groups, or clinical groups to determine to what degree similar scoring will occur.
At any rate, it doesn't have to be done all the time, and it doesn't have to be comprehensive. Make that tool work for you!
Regards, Barry
I used to give a pretest, but have stopped doing so because the time frame for the course has been cut and there is not much time for content. I may start using it again but in a simpler form!
Hi Joyce:
Good way of expressing it. Teachers often have unrealistic expectations too. I think some may assume because a student has completed a certain class or collection of classes, they're fully prepared to jump in feet first. Often, that's not the case. Pretesting can help a teacher dcide where the weaker areas are and where the emphasis should be for a particular cohort,
Also, I don't think pretesting is needed all the time and for every class. It's a tool, and we use our tools only for the "projects" they're needed for.
Regards, Barry
Cynthia:
Great example. Pretesting can give the student an idea what's ahaed if done at the beginning of a course, ans also illuminate to the teacher where adjustments may be needed in order to best teach that particular cohort.
Another version is pretesting (ungraded) performed prior to grading (for credit). This method varies, but it can reveal deficiencies before they are recorded in a test.
Your clinic example is yet another version. A fancy name for this is "inter-rater reliabilty", but really, it's just comparing to what degree do different individuals rate students. Very helpful.
Regards, Barry
Hi Eric:
Yes, pretests are helpful and beneficial, mostly to the teacher in planning and adjusting the class to best meet the students need. They don't have to be done for every class - it's just a tool that can implemmented for some classes when it's deemed appropriate.
Regards, Barry
Gerard:
Because the course objectives are not going to change, it makes sense that if an instructor wanted to put more emphasis on one or more areas, performing a pretest can benefit the teacher in makking those fine tuning adjustments.
Regards, Barry
Hi Tony:
That's one way of using it, true. And it's effective this way. Another use is a non-graded version given prior to the "real" test that counts. In both uses, the teacher benefits by getting a glimpse of what the students know and what ares may need additional emphasis.
Regards, Barry
Bruno:
To me pretests can give th eteacher an idea where there students are currently performing. It may give a clue to how students might do on a "real" test that counted for a grade, and also helps the teacher plan out any adjustments they may need to make in order to better match their student needs.
Regards, Barry
Pretesting will establish the students' knowledge of the requisite foundation information. It helps identify, not only, areas of strength and weakness for each student, but can also be used to assess the entire class. This information will help the instructor plan lessons based on the results. Further, it can assist the school in assessing applicants preparedness for the applicable course. I have used a modification of pretesting when sending an educator into a recently acquired health care clinic to set up a series of in-services in several clinics. Each clinic turned out to have very different strengths and weaknesses academically and clinically. The assessment was invaluable in using the educator's time most effectively and in achieving a more standardized skill and academic level among several clinics.
Our book "assumes" the students have certain background knowledge. They don't. I need to know what they know before I can teach them the new material.
Pre testing students will allow me to know how their base knowledge; what needs to be readdressed; or not. It would help with the basic knowledge of the class and how I may or may not need to change the class for each student; as well as the ability of the student to be sucessful in the class itself.
You find out as a instructor how far you can take the class every day with the lectures and you know how far you can take the student individualy.
A pretest can is a very helpful planning tool in letting you know exactly what you need to cover in the classroom. You are able to assess the students prior knowledge and gain a great deal of information on what they know.
Joseph:
Great. You know, Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Successful People) states "Begin with the end in mind. I think pretests are sort of like that. Let's first see at what level the student is operating at, then tweak the course to place emphasis on weaker but essential areas, even if that's at the expense of listed topics (but less impotatant). BTW, that last sentence is one of Coveys values grid.
Regards, Barry
It makes good sense to find out the knowledge level of your class. a pretest is an excellent tool. The instructor can make adjustments to the material presented and present it seemlessly to the entire class.
Pretesting gives you a great idea of where you need to start in the cirriculum.
Andrew:
Sure, pretesting helps the teacher. Students also get a glimpse of upcoming topics - which can be exciting, or least informative.
Regards, Barry
Michelle:
I think you are right on! Helps both teacher and student.
Regards, Barry
I feel that giving a pretest will give the students an overview of what will be presented in the course. It makes them interested in where and what the answers came from and how they can apply it for future exams. I think they are a good idea for any subject because it gives the instructor an idea of which topics need more work in making the students understand.
