If I have time in a class period, I may have students model or diagram a topic learned in class to see how they have perceived the information. As they work, I will move around and point out where they're on the money and where they've strayed from what is actually occurring in real organisms.
Hi Brian, The employers who hire our grads emphasize that they need employees who can problem solve. You are doing a wonderful job instilling those skills in your students! Susan
Working in an industry where problem solving is as valuable as specific knowledge of a piece of software or gear, finding alternate means of assessing students understanding of subjects is crucial in determining that critical thinking acumen is being developed as well as command of the information taught. We use both practical problem-solving exercises as well as group challenges to encourage student interactions that we can then monitor for progress.
At the end of every class I give a few question for a Critical Thinking Assessment, they do not only have to prove memorization but understanding on the subject they just learn.
Hi Mohammad - Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, those are great examples of alternative assessments! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
By giving home aasingment, term paper,
power point presentation is also very helpfull to evaluate the students.
let the students assess each other by making their own quizes and
Hi Katherine - Thanks for your post to the forum.
What a really creative idea! Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Yes in trying to figure out what the student actually knows and not just memorizing is the real world. What I have the students for a pharmacology class is to design a patient brochure R/T to prescription medication. The brochure has to contain info about the drug but at the level that a patient can follow. It allows the studnet to be creative yet show me that they got what I was trying to teach them all term.And it's fun for me to see them.I would actually use some of the ones I have received.
Hi Kimberly- Thanks for your post to the forum. Do you do weekly assessments like short quizzes? Susan
Hi Claire- Thanks for your post to the forum - you shared some good ideas of alternative assessments. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
giving daily critiques and self evaluation quizes. having a brainstorming session on subjects we covered in class
I have difficulty with this - sometimes I am not aware of problems until a few weeks into the class. I have my students complete short presentations on a subject they have interest in (med assisting) for each chapter. I can often catch this by seeing the notes/skills/confidence level- how they prepare. I try to show my class that we all have some areas we are stronger in- that we should help each other. That works well for me.
One way I assess what is going in my class is attendance. One of my directors said students vote with their feet. If my class tends to be empty I know they are not getting it or very interested and something needs to change. When they are excited and into the class they stay around.
By using alternative assessments the instructors benefits as:
1. Evaluate the students' previous learning
2. Evaluate their own teaching methods
3. Evaluate the students' understanding of the topic
4. Emphasize on the most difficult topics
In the lab portion, I have to assess how the student has done the skill. I require the student to explain how they found the answer through demonstration...which makes them do the skill another time and justify their response. It is a version of critical thinking, since they have to explain their results.
Hi Zbigniew- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, that immediate face-to-face feedback is excellent! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I love assessing when student performs hands on because it gives me a chance to build his confidance in what he/she is doing.
Hi Yvonne- Thanks for your post to the forum. Having students apply the concepts they have learned to real life scenarios/case studies gives them practice to prepare them for what they will encounter in the field. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Case presentation helps in my field. The student has to apply knowledge gained during the class to present and support their evaluation. Some research to support the presentation helps reinforce the information.
