How do CATs improve attendance?
If students know that they count on these little aids would they be more inclined to show up knowing that there are aids to keep them on track.
Hi Jan - A great synopsis of how CATs can be beneficial - thanks! Susan
I like small daily quizzes for a variety of reasons:
~uses all learning styles - student heard about it class the day before, did an assignment in class, read about it or completed a handout for homework, then first thing in the morning documented their understanding.
~alleviates the anxiety and all night cramming students may have for only 2 tests in 3 weeks.
~is an effective CAT because as the instructor I know immediately what information was understood or needs to reviewed. And we can start there.
~encourages attendance
Students initially dread the daily quizzes especially if they do not do the homework or reading, I explain the small daily grade will hurt less than doing poorly on a major midterm.
Hi Alfredo - Welcome to ED 103!You mention an excellent reason to use CATs! If too much information is not being understood in a short class, it will be too late to turn the tide if you wait for a weekly test. Best wishes - Susan
Some times to much info is given to the student to comprehend in a three week course,so to help them retain the info I will quiz daily adding what the previously knew with new material delivered the day before
I do agree with this, provided that the points offered are directly related to course content. I had one terrible experience where an instructor gave "cookie quizzes" that really only dealt with the student attending; one question was what color shirt are you wearing. In this case the points were not a "reward" for attending, but punishment for not attending.
Your students will know that they have the right tools to help them stay on track should they happen to go off course, therfore yes I think this would encourage students not to miss a day of valueable information.
Daily quizes are an effective way of checking for understanding but can also be used to aid in retention.
Everyday I have students do hands-on assignments. Every assignment is worth 20 points, and at the end of a class a total of appx 120 points have ben granted. The students know if they do not show up for a class their overall grade will be jeopardized. I usually get excellent attendance... try it out!
Every day should be important to a student's learning. The CAT can help a student to know they are learning on a daily basis. Therefore, they know that by missing a day of class they are missing a day of progressing toward the goal of learning. Yes I believe this would improve attendance.
