Pretests can be an excellent starting point. Being able to assess the classes knowledge will allow for the Instrutional load to be planned according to the students actual needs.
I like when I teach with other Instructors I am familiar with, we can pick up where the other has left off. By doing a pretest I can essentially pick up where the students learning has left off. ( that sounds odd) Anyway if I find they are lacking in a skill set that I will need ot build on, I will plan for a review, or stations set up to redo a skill prior to moving forward. Another option is padding into the lesson some of the missing elements by giving case studies to explore the topic.
I agree, Jeff. I've often used this. When I teach a Cost Control class I find this very helpful. For example, after one pretest I found that there was one student who was way ahead of the rest of the class. This student became a key player in case studies during class. I was able to keep him engaged during class discussion so he would not feel board, and he also helped the other students understand the challenging concepts that were being taught.
Anitra,
I have used the course objectives as a guide. For some, these questions will seem hard, to others, they'll get many of the answers correct.
Barry Westling
We dont use a pretest for our student assessment and I really like this idea.
The light bulb went on for me and I could really benefit from doing these pretest with my students. When giving this pretest should you give them a combination of easy to hard questions? I see the number of questions to give should be aprox. 20-25 but not sure as to how easy or difficult the questions should range.
Holly,
I like pretesting, even though I don't do it all the time. The results help me plan, customize, or give more (or less) emphasis when I'm unsure what level of prior knowledge my students have.
Barry Westling
A pretest can help determine the background level of your students and determine what their current level is. This can help you as an instructor know where you need to focus, or possibly the need to work with admissions on a better screening process.
Adam,
Pretesting works! It can used in different ways to achieve different results. But in all cases, the effectiveness in assisting the instructor gain greater insight to their students prior knowledge helps the students in learning their required course material.
Barry Westling
Every class, every course and every student I teach receives a pretest based on background information and knowlege, as well as the bullet points listed on the course syllabus - this will let me know "hwo much they know" and re-enforce the school's course syllabus.
Allen,
Right. This is perfect use for pretesting, if time allows.
Barry Westling
In our training,students are challenged to learn alot of info in just three weeks,the students are on different schedules as well,so they may not have learned some concepts that will help in this class.Using pretests helps the instructor to identify the needs of his class.
Diane,
Sure, good use for preparation before an exam. These don't have to the correct answers to the final exam, just similar types of questions along the same content areas that will be part of the graded final eaxm.
Barry Westling
Pretesting can help with understanding more of the course that is being taught. It can give a student more confident in taking the final exam.
Chad,
Understood, and no one is suggesting that pretesting become a standard or frequent activity. I use them ocassionaly, when I feel it will benefit me in planning. One use mid course is for a mid-term exam review, sort of like a "toe in the water" for what the test may bring, and assist the student in their personal preparation. But like any tool, it should be reserved for when it needed, and not routinely, necessarily.
Barry Westling
Pretest are a nice idea and can give considerable insight, but you also need to consider the time required to give a pretest and make sure it doesn't infringe on instructional time needed to cover required material. As a math instructor in a career oriented school I have used pretests on the first night to give me an idea of student proficiencies, but find it difficult later in the course.
Ida,
Right. It's a planning tool for the instructor. It helps narrow down the best strategies for these students, in this class, at this time. Very specific.
Barry Westling
Ida,
I use pretesting now and then, but not all the time. Pretesting is one of many tools. Pretesting works best for me when I have no idea where the students are in their prior learning. As you say, it helps me plan to apply improved emphasis for a given class.
Barry Westling
pretesting can assist in understanding students weakness and strenghts, assist in developing instructional styes best suited for the student.
Pretests helps a teacher to understand what the students intersts are in the class.
It can help you understand what student already know and assist the teacher in understanding learning styles.
Irina,
Sure, these are great and effective tools. For planning, the pretest offers a unique way for the instructor to assess where the needed emphasis is (or is not ) needed.
Barry Westling
