I Have used in the past pre tests to pair up more advanced students with the other studentsin groups. This can help in the overall learning of the class.
I agree that pretest are great for determining the subject matter that needs to be focused on. I also go over the answers with the class to help students to understand better.
Hi Sherry,
Emphasis is so important. And to individualize it can make or break the success of a class. How nice there is a tool that can help us plan in the way pretesting does!
Barry Westling
Hi Destiny,
Basline - thats good. To compare progress requires a basline or reference point. Good thought.
Barry Westling
In teaching English, I need to know what skills, background, knowledge they bring into the class. All students are different in this regard. I need to know this material to plan what I will teach.
Using pretests as instructional tools is helpful in determining what areas are needed to be emphasized and what areas are known in that group. It is also useful for the student in what material is going to be covered in a section of material that might be otherwise overwhelming. Especially if that material is in a condensed course.
Using pretests as planning tools has helped me to direct subject matter to areas that require more attention. It is a great way to baseline and prepare my lectures.
Hi Thomas,
This discussion post pertains to planning tools, specifically pretesting as a planning tool. I think you've correctly stated how planning a lesson is inhanced with pretesting. It's really a time management effectiveness attribute that if used correctly can maximise the student learning experience in the scarce time we have to educate our students.
Barry Westling
Pre tests can set the instructional pace and skill sets to focus on.
By having both basic and advanced materials you can best use the time that students have paid for to get them to their goals the best way possible.
Pre tests can also help me to determine the use of examples and demonstrations I am most likely to use and what senses I will appeal to; with the idea of the more senses I can use simultaneously the better the retention rate.
Best example I can offer here is that if the pre test reveals that a certain concept is already know I can just use a power point to remind them of that.
If not then I use a demonstration and perhaps a hands on activity to present that concept.
Pretest helps instructors to determine the level of knowledge students possess. It helps instructors to develop thier course materials effectively.
Hi Theresa ,
I don't always use pretests - only when I'm totally unfamiliar with what the student know or should know. Based on the results, it helps me plan, adjust, modify, or amplify information based on need.
Barry Westling
As a new instructor, I believe a pretest will display what area(s) of the subject need focus. I haven't a a chance to implement this yet, but definitely plan to.
Hi Chara,
I think it's great when a teacher sees something they consider valuable in their role as facilitator and is willing to try it out. This is how good teachers become excellent teachers, by willing to experiment and challenge their students (and themselves) to stretch for a better learning experience.
Barry Westling
As a new instructor, I haven't used pretests yet. However, from this module, I see how it can be beneficial in understanding what my students already know or don't know. This way I can help them as a group (ex. If 80 percent of the students don't understand concepts about different reasoning methods, I can adjust to the majority of the class) or I can help individual students gain the extra knowledge they need. I plan to use pretests in future classes.
Hi Edward,
I think you've added another potential use for pretesting, that of getting students to think critically and avoid the group think mentality. There's so much incorrect information out there these days, beginning a course with a reality check seems very refreshing.
Barry Westling
I just started using pretests in my sociology course. I started the first day of class with 10 true-false statements repeating common sociological beliefs which were false. I did this to help theRN students begin looking at the world through the eyes of a sociologist. As we went over the answers I tried to help them understand that many of the values we have are determined by the culture in which we live.
I also wanted to use that forum as a way to help the students understand how this knowledge will be helpful throughout their other classes and in their professional life following graduation.
Hi Susana,
Yes, in the sense of pretesting as a planning tool, information about your students can assist planning for where additional or repetitios inforamtion may be needed for a course.
Barry Westling
Hi Martha,
I've done this too. It's rather fun for all to see the amaxing progress students make. It can be a very motivating experience.
Barry Westling
Hi Joseph,
Math seem to be ideally suited to assess at what level the class is performing at. It can save instructor time, and add more emphasis where students may need extra attention.
Barry Westling
Hi Linda,
Great. Knowing your students helps you plan your presentations. That's one of the purposes of and version or variation of a pretest.
Barry Westling
