In giving a pre-test for the course to see where the students are for the class. The pre-test can determine on what materials that you will need for the course.
The pretest can also determine the students strengths and weakness for the course. It will determine the most critical content that you need to focus and work with the students on.
Marco,
I don't always pretest, but when I do, it is usually for new students and when I have little knowledge about their prior knowldge. So really, this is a tool for the instructor, probably moreso than for students.
Barry Westling
This gives us a good sense of what we have accomplished overall in terms of ensuring that we have a good sensations of the overall class as to where thy are in knowledge.
Michael,
I think it's like our own kids. We know they're each different and unique in their own way, so we modify and adjust to reach them and communicate in the way they will understand. So, if we can do something similar with our students we will achieve better instructional efficiency.
Barry Westling
Barbara,
Great!. Pop quiz has the same principle and idea as the pretest. We want to best help our students, so understanding where they are is a great start.
Barry Westling
The pretests I use give me an understanding of how to plan my entire course. will I need to stay on some topics longer or is the class more advanced and able to pick up on some extra knowledge not generally in the course content. otherwise it's almost like blindly walking into teaching the course...
Michael
I too teach in an accelerated program, which does not allow much wiggle room to cover content the students should bring to the course from prerequisites. However, I do find a "pop quiz" the first day of a new course useful as a review for myself when I cover a topic I can spend a few extra minutes referring back to previous concepts to make sure they are comprehending the new material. Although the grade is not recorded anywhere, I correct the pretest and hand them back to the students as a review of material they are expected to know. I also include a few of the questions on each of the subsequent quizzes, and exams, to encourage them to use the information as a study guide. This way I can identify their shortcomings and reinforce weaknesses essential for their successful performance on state licensing examinations after completion of the program.
Edward,
I like your optomistic post! Yes, I believe for some students the pretest can set a meausre for the student to shoot for. Others may see it as just another class activity, while some may take a dim view and look at it as just a test. In reality, it helps the instructor the most by assessing where more (or less) attention is needed in order to help the students learn the material without underutilizing valuable time.
Barry Westling
A pre-test is a helpful tool for the students to guage thier knowledge level and set expectations as to what is going to be on the actual exam.
In my opinion a pre-test helps the student set him/herself for success.
Michele,
Right. The biggest benefgit is for vthe instructor to make plans that better fit the current students, given their prior learning and knowlkedge level.
Barry Westling
Robert,
What a great resource! Although I understand some students don't like the online learning format, usually that's just because they're unfamiliar with the delivery platform. What's cool is this is customized to the text (and topic) you're using, and as youy say, premits you you make adjustments in your teaching plan.
Barry Westling
It helps me to evaluate not only the students but also my teaching methods.
I have the students do a pre-test from an online source put together by our publisher that relates directly to their textbook. The students get the benefit of creating a 'study plan' to help them prepare for the section and I get the opportunity to see where they are strong and weak so as to tweak my lesson plans accordingly.
Elizabeth,
Yes, and most instructors who use a pretest find it also informs them where more emphasis may be needed, and less time spend on an area where students are doing well already.
Barry Westling
It provides you with a jumping off point in terms of skill base./
Julia,
Right, and for me, it's not so much how much they know but more how much they already know. With this knolwedge, I can tailor my classes to shift the emphasis where the time in class is best used.
Barry Westling
Yes it can help. By giving it on the first day, I can quickly see where most students stand regarding the basics, and then I can choices on what certain points I need to emphacize end review in my class as I move forward with lectures.
Nathan,
Exactly. It really helps guide the instructor as to to how best help their students without spending time on unnecessary material.
Barry Westling
Pretests can be used in two different ways.
First as a guage of skills that the student will need in the upcoming course.
The second as a gauge of how well the student understands what you are going to be teaching. They may have a background in the subject that allows you to move through some parts of the course faster so you have more time to spend on other subjects.
Angie,
Sounds good. Smaller is always better anyway.
Barry Westling
