Assessment
It is the feedback for me. It tells me if my student have recieved and I have delivered the material. My tests are also part of my teaching strtegy. When student are fresh at their errors, it is imparative to go over the tested material. This provides a better association and learning from the mistakes. Waiting for the next visit may be too late. Learning from our mistakes creates a window of learning opportunity which is often overlooked in my view.
Kelly,
I agree. In addition, it is not important to be too focused on the assessment tool, however the importance should be placed on how the learning objective is being tested and student outcomes. An instructor should never try to "teach to the test".
Tremayne Simpson
This is so important! We have to keep in mind that we are testing them on the material, and not at how well they are able to test! Sometimes it is necessary to alter assessment methods to truly determine what a student knows.
ELIZABETH,
In addition, instructors should also review how they assess "participation". In order to decrease the subjectivity for that grading parameter, we have developed a common grading rubric (used by all instructors), with a purpose of objectifying this difficult category.
Tremayne Simpson
I would also add that keeping an eye on students performance in all areas is very important. Life is full of the unexpected and students like everybody else have their challenges. I go out of my way to work with these students, and at the end of the day, base my grade on overall student performance.
Faith ,
I agree. I make sure to diversify the assessments that I use, in order to ensure that I am accurately gaging my students' retention of information. For instance, sometimes a student may perform poorly on an exam, due to anxiety and not because they did not understand a particular course concept.
Tremayne Simpson
Assessment is the best way of knowing where the students are - some may need more assistance, other students may be ready to move forward. How to keep everyone on the same page can be difficult.
changhiz,
Instructors should remember these concepts, when giving assessments to their students. Generally when it comes to exams, students only focus on the grading ramifications. Therefore, it is important to explain that the exam is assigned to gage student retention of information. Depending on how it is communicated to the student, this message can limit some of the testing anxiety.
Tremayne Simpson
