Using alternative assessments
What are some other ways of assessing students besides objective tests?
I completely agree. Students feel much more confident once they have applied what they have learned outside of class. I find that students want to know the material, but they also want to build more confidence, so I always integrate assignments that involve lesson applications.
Hi Tiffany, Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree - "teaching back" is the ultimate demonstration of the acquisition of knowledge. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The Hands-on approach to me shows critical thinking and that the student has "gotten" the objective we were trying to reach. When I have students in my computer class I have them instruct me on how to do something at times because I have found over the years that here is no better way than to show someone how to do something. This can come in handy in a larger class to have the students help you aid in getting around the room when others have questions so it also promotes communication and leadership.
I teach a C N A program so a large part of the class involves "hands on" skill procedures. I like to give the students a real life situation and let them figure out how to respond in a correct and safe manner concerning patient care. The students love it and remember the solutions that they figured out.
Hi Megan, Yes, being able to "teach back" is the ultimate test of knowledge gained. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
We have a similar concept of "teach back" when a student takes on a particular aspect of the course and teaches the class a 5 to 10 minute presentation. Students love this because the instructor has to sit on the sidelines and they are ultimately in charge.
Megan
I'm a clinical/lab instructor for a Veterinary Technology Program, and using alternative assessments is very important in allowing the students to comprehend what they've learned in theory and incorporate it with the "hands-on" experience in a lab and a clinical setting. The Veterinary world is both understanding function and disease processes (textbook) of our furry friends, as well as hands-on; handling and assessing the patients, diagnostic testing, treating the patients, educating the clients, etc. The list can go on, and on!
Hi Matt, Thanks for your post to the forum. Labs such as yours certainly do provide a dynamic environment! You wisely also use this opportunity to assess the soft skills which will mimic how students will need to perform in the workplace. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
In our culinary program, objective tests only offer a partial indication of student progress. Daily lab work and practical exams are crucial for the instructor to monitor student progress. Additionally, these lab days allow the students to use their newly acquired knowledge or to assess where they may need to focus more attention.
Lab days can also be used to assess soft skills and problem solving ability. Missing equipment or ingredients force the students to apply and/or adapt knowledge.
Hi Joseph, Thanks for sharing a very interactive hands-on approach to assessment!
Susan Polick
I teach graphic design and sometimes you need to create tests to better evaluate their learning. The toughest part to evaluate is their design level and hand skills. I am currently teaching package design so I came up with weekly in-class hand skill quizzes, where they need to take an existing dieline and build it in class, which they are evaluated on quality, and structure of their final product, plus the other students help by evaluate each others designs.
Hi Angie, Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that for many disciplines, skills assessment is the best way to determine what learning has been achieved. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I have to agree with you. I feel that hands on really helps to have a better understanding of your student and what they have taken from the instructors lecture/readings. I feel this also helps form a bond and the instructor is able to have more knowledge of how the student learns and how they are able to help the student be successful.
I've also found explains the how and why ahead of time useful in my culinary classes. If I tell them ahead of time what happens when something is over mixed or has too many eggs the can tell me why their product turned out the way it did.
In college, in addition to written tests, we also had oral tests and hands-on tests. I try to incorporate that in my classes, because these alternative methods are helpful for thise that are not the best test takers: they might know the material, but are not able to get it out on paper. Talking about the material or demonstrating knowledge of the materail is good for these folks.
I like to ask WHY questions so that the class can problem solve
I agree with the hands-on test being more critical for my field too
I think hands on practical mock test and role playing is a great way of assessing students.
In Cosmetology along with written test the student should be able to replicate the hairstyle or cut.
