I've used pretests in classes, but have often found that it sometimes tends to "stall" the coursework, and wind up extensively reviewing older material rather than progressing into advanced topics. I wonder if others have had that experience, and at what point you need to make that commitment to move on, confident that the potentially more difficult topics might serve to allow time for the concepts to settle in and "make sense" to the student.
This helps you understand the different student learner types and what different teaching methods you need to paln for. This will ensure that you will not have frustrated students in the classroom, feeling they are beihng left behind.
Until this training course I never thought about pretest. I find this assessment test would work great! Prior to getting into the course the pretesting would give me insight to where a student is at in their knowledge base, spelling, and comprehension. This will allow me to plan accordingly for each student. Also, I would get the students involved with the planning of the course by having an open discussion about their needs, wants, likes, dislikes, learning styles that works or not.
Debbie,
I can't answer as to examples. But I can make suggestions. How about one section that has a number of statements that the student has to ponder and decide if the stement is generally true or generally false. Another might be along the lines of "which of the following are effective when preparing a speech?". There could sections on delivery "must do's" and delivery "never do's". Choose which is which. When preparing pretests, I use the course objectives. If students are supposed to be able to do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, then I would consider preassessing several key poiints from each of the objectives. None of the questions have to be earth shattering, just sort of a toe in the water as to what level your students prior knowledge or abilities are.
Barry Westling
Do you have any suggestions on where I could look at some examples of a pretest for public speaking?
Kelsey,
Great. Your system sounds good, as it assists you in achieving your learning goals. Instructors who pretest find the extra time to do it helps them save time in subsequent lessons.
Barry Westling
Using a pre-test about what students know about the subject matter will allow for you to plan your course accordingly. I will typically give a first day "quiz" which will discuss what the student already knows about the course. Mid-way through I will reassess asking what they have learned, what they have liked, didn't like and again what they would like to learn. This helps in focusing what direction to go for the remainder of the term.
Thanks so much,
Kelsey
Debbie,
Sounds like a plan. Instructors who pretest tend to feel the little bit of extra effort really helps in the long run in terms of being able to better assist their students as a result of the the pretesting they've conducted.
Barry Westling
I have been challenged in looking into designing a pretest for Public Speaking. I find that some students are not comfortable with researching through the library database for journal articles that make credible sources for a speech. It would be nice to know their comfort level before I assume they are good at researching other than using Google.
Amy,
Super. While most tests are designed to assess the student, pretesting is mostly for the benefit of the instructor, to determine how best to structure their classes in order vto meet the majority of students. It's sort of a version of 'meet them where they're at". Instructors that pretest are better able to zero in to focus their energies on their specific student needs for these students, at this time, in this class, with these skills and prior learning.
Barry Westling
It gives me a baseline of what my students know so that I know which areas to focus on during instruction.
Eddie,
I can only speak for my classes and institution. Admission does two different tests as prerequisites for candidacy for my program. But once they are in, there are general education, science, core lecture, lab, and clinical course work that needs completion. Pretesting for me means assessing new students I receive to see at what level their prior learning is at so I can make adjustments or modify my curricular plan.
Barry Westling
This is true, but some "pre-testing" (and i dislike the word "pre-test" because there is no such thing....you either test or you don't, but i digress!) :-) anyway, some "pre-testing" is done by admissions and students are place in my classroom as "diamonds IN THE ROUGH". Are we suggesting that I do another test before I start class to see where they stand?
Tiwauna,
Right. The main benefit to pretesting is the instructor will learn where to place the emphasis for their class in order to provide the best learning opportunities to achieve the most effective learning outcomes.
Barry Westling
A pretest can help me with my instructional planning because it allows me to see the comprehension and knowledge base of students prior to the testing. I'm able to see who's comprehending as well as who may need some extra help.
Ron,
True, The more we know about prior learning enables us to modify or perhaps make adjustments to our planned activities.
Barry Westling
Pretest allows the collection of baseline data about the glass, ie. How much knowledge does the class know. If an instructor has such information handy one can develop instructional plans that are unique to the group of students.
Tiffany,
Right, often resulting in better4 utilizsation of instructor time and course effectiveness.
Barry Westling
Pretest allows the instructor to better prepare course materials for the students.
maritza,
Right, a platform, or guideline that helps identify a reasonable game plan for these students, in this class, at this specific time. Subsequent classes may be different.
Barry Westling
