Hi Dan - Although some teachers are critical of open book tests, I agree with you that they have their place in the assessment process.
Susan
I totally agree Justin! Once your students undersatnd how the new information is relevant, especially to what they have already learned, they are more inclined to want to learn. Well done!
Depending on the level of the students education and relying on my knowledge of what they have learned in previous classes I use a technique that enables the students to participate in lecture and discussion by useing the informaton that they should be comfortable with. This helps to assess where the students need help and also helps to tie together the old information with the new concepts and techniques. Through questioning I am able to get many students to realize that they are not just learning a bunch of unrelated concepts but that they are all tied together. once the students realize this they are much more comfortable with participating. Moat of the time it is like pulling teeth to get things started but if you keep at it the students become used to the technique and they seem to prepare for it and anticipate it.
when student have hard time to answer questions I allow them to do some open book quiz so they do open their book and learn from reading and trying to find the correct answers.
I have made copy of the class roster and cut the individual names from the copy and taped them to individual plastic balls and place all balls in a jar and pick them out one at a time and ask a question or pick one out, ask a question and put it right back in the jar.
Honestly setting the tone in the room seems more important sometimes than what or how I'm asking for feedback.
Students need to feel safe, they won't be mocked or chided, their toughts and opinions are valued and that my response will be appropriate.
My favorite technique- the "What if..." questions. Keep them open ended, allow for students to personalize to fit their style.
Hi Robert - you have hit upon the key - everyone loves to talk about themselves and if you can merge that with your lessons you have a winner!! Best wishes- Susan
Hi Douglas - Being able to get your students involved in the questioning/assessment process is so important. If they can just participate in the exchange of questions, answers and ideas without feeling afraid or threatened you are doing a terrific job! Susan
As a culinary instructor some times I start class with a question that I'm sure will get many responses as kind of an ice breaker. This helps all students feel more comfortable. Then as we go along in the lecture I add more and more thougt provoking questions. And also try to get the students to add thier own questions by sometimes wording a statement or question so they must thgink about what I have said.
I strongly feel that questioning students past activities in the topic of discussion gets a large responsse from the student body as a whole. Since my classes are centered on kinesthetic learning and final production methods, and a final application of the days lectures and demos, students love to discuss ways that they may have used these activities in the past. I have found that personal, relevant, and stimulating questioning works wonders for both them and me.
i ask questions that are easily understood but stimulating
Wait time is it, gives the student time to process information and help retain the material.
1)For example a students asked a question, and I let other students try to answer to his question.
2)Give students extra credit for giving me the right answer.
Hi Beth - Welcome to class! You are very effective at using questioning techniques that are appropriate and relevant!
It depends on the type of class and what the question purpose is. I use very directed question and adress them to each student for a review prior to testing. I like to use very open ended questions as part of the education process. I use many situation question in sanitation to let students see the diffeent results of there action. I also find that a general question used to start a discusion and getting the real life experiences helps relate the learning to most students.
I demo/lecture and then they mis en place their project for the day. I go to each of them as they are setting up and have them explain to me what they are doing.
Hi Steve - I would imagine that if you do this regularly, the class will pay attention as they never know when their card will come up!
Hi Charlie - involving your students in their own learning by making them part of the questioning process is a great idea.
I have used various style of questioning. Depending on the class I will usually start out with easy questions. giving the students that may be having problems time to build self confidence. I also have the students come up with 3 questions each to ask me. This seems to be a great way to challenge them and they can have fun at it. I also makes them find questions from the material or exercise which renforces the material they are learning
Before class i prepare index cards with each students name on them. I have also prepared a power point presentation with questions about each subject. during review i pull a card from the deck and the student must read the question and answer it. this way everyone gets envolved and i can find out how well the student reads and if he paid attention to the lecture
