Since my students must shine in a clinical setting I feel that physical contact with what they are learning about is the most effective way for them to learn what is trying to be taught to them.
Hi Lauren, Good assessments that students will find extremely relevant and probably useful in the future. Susan
Susan Polick
In business, I have found it very promising to ask them to do business plans, marketing strategies and promotional ads. They seem to prepare much more for those types of assessments than a regular test.
Hi Ezra, I think that students really love when teachers get creative with assessments. I enjoy it as well! Susan
Susan Polick
Alternative assessments offers the teacher an opportunity to really get creative. In biology one can ask their students to create a new organism and describe its characteristics. In physics students can be asked to design an egg holder that will protect the egg when it is dropped from a height of ten meters. The sky's the limit. However, prior to this type of activity the teacher must clearly dilineate what the critira for success are. There is nothing wrong with students enthusiastically participating in a learning experience.
I have learned that most students learn when that are giving the task to complete and allowed to use hands-on or by allowing them to do in class prestation.
That is a very good idea. There are many students that will take advantage of the system and copy work.
Projects and papers are some other ways to assess the students. I teach computer classes so for my one class half the class is all project based. It gives those students that are not good test takers a chance to bring their grade up.
Hi Alan, thanks for your post to the forum. I am not sure what your program structures are but I know that in many of our programs cohorts of students stay together for as long as two years. As you mention, they are very supportive of each other but also willing to give good criticism in positive ways. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I find with most of my students there are two methods that work well. The first is a hands on approach. This works well since they will all be interacting with patients and must develop methods to create a non-threatening enviroment in order to deal effectively with the patient. The other method I like to employ is to have the students work in small groups and assess each other. I often marvel at how critical but non confrontational they can be. I also feel they are more receptive of peer assessment than instructor assessment.
I sometimes find that hands on projects or group projects regarding case studies and scenarios are a huge part in the learning process. The students also enjoy these activities.
A good skills assessment, with clear expectations and evaluation of learning, is beneficial in any hands-on field. A student may be able to regurgitate all of the information you've shared, but if they are not able to apply it in a work-world simulation their education is not complete. We owe it to our students to ensure that they are not only knowledgeable but skilled. I use skills assessments that build on each other, so that each subsequent assessment expects mastery of previous ones as well as good usage of the new skill.
Hi Stacey, Thanks for your post to the forum. I think this is often an example of "one size does not fit all"! Congratulations on going the extra mile to get true assessments of those students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I think the multiple choice as well as the true false has shown the most the most prominant measures in my line of instruction.
I have had excellent students do poorly on standard, objective exams. Instead, we have done oral exams- where they can just talk me through their answers. This way, they can demonstrate to me that they know the material, and are not faced with test anxiety. It has really helped those students that do not do well on standard, multiple choice exams.
on line testing, or hands on training
Using hands on techniques assits in building students confidence with the material.
I use observation with my classes as they are very hands on. I also have students work with each other and their ability to help peers demonstrates their knowledge.
There are several ways to test someones knowledge of any topic. During the class I try to bring up past topics/key concepts in order to jog the students memory of previous lectures to see if student have remembered key terms or key concepts from lectures/lessons in the past week or two.
Other ways I test for comprehension is through papers. Some students are not good at tests and feel that they can do better by explaining the concept through a paper. Personally in one class that I teach I have one exam, several open book, take home quizzes, a paper, and a presentation. This varied instruction allows individuals who are 'not good at test taking' to still excell in the class through other ways to demonstrating their skills.
Hi Jessica, Being able to diagram or model a topic does demonstrate that the student has moved beyond the level of mere memorization. Great work!
Susan Polick
