I have used a couple of different tools to assess not only student learning, but the effectiveness of the methods I have been using in the class up to that point. I formulate three or four questions and offer students "extra" credit if they thoughtfully answer the questions. I usually do this prior to the middle of the term.
Hi Marshall - Thank you for your post to the forum. You are obviously an instructor that is determined to give your students what they need- Bravo! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career and all the best in 2010! Susan
Hi Pierre- Thanks for your post to the forum. You describe an excellent usage of CATs - great work! Best wishes - Susan
As a pastry instructor CAT techniques after a long and difficult topic such as Chocolate Art work and techniques.After the lecture and demo, I always ask each student to right down on a minute paper for example 3 main objectives of the course.This process give me a good understanding of the degree of learning of each student and share with them their unanswered questions and clarify information about subject.
I noticed that ungraded assignments are less intimidating that grade assessment,and give student a better involment into topic.
It is easier to incorporate CATs in a computer class then in a lecture class; the students will probably more succesful in a computer class; more hands on.
In the online learning format I find that one of the most effective CAT's is the use of discussion questions. I structure them so they judge understanding of the material presented that week and how it can be applied to real world situations.
Amy Rogers
I like using the technique that Tom uses when teaching a course. CAT's give me the opportunity to adjust my teaching style to what will best fit the students learning styles. With Career education not only is each student different, but each new group of students that start throughout the year are different. CAT's give me the information I need to make the learning enviornment custom to that cohort.
I find students learn more if the course is given in small bites. I use CATs to provide follow-up on the materials presented and give feed-back to the students. This includes unannounced quizes.
HI Lawrence - Thanks for your post to the forum! You are running a very interactive classroom - great work! Best wishes - Susan
Susan,
I use the CAT methods within my discussion board forum by asking open ended questions for students to research, understand, and apply to their current assignments.
Amir
Classroom Assessment Techniques serve two purposes. They help to assess student understanding of the course content and they provide information about the effectiveness of our teaching methods. One technique is the 1 Minute paper. During the last few minutes of a class period, ask students to write “the most important thing learned and what they understood the least." The papers can be used to clarify, correct, or elaborate on topics.
Short assessments with immediate feedback is best. Often, when I give a knowledge check or "dipstick" (thanks Madelaine Hunter) I walk around the class saying- "yes, you have it;" "no, not yet"; "Jenny, help Dolph finish up"; "who needs a hint?" This relieves time pressure and gives me adequate time to interact with everyone. I may choose one of the students to give a polished presentation of the solution.
HI Alexis- Thanks for your post to the forum! As you point out CATs tell us how we are doing before we (or they!) get too far off course. Best wishes- Susan
I think I was using CATS and didn't know how to call it. I was teaching a difficult cost control subject to new students. I lectured, wrote on the white board and showed some power point slides. After 2 days I quized the students on the subject and I was disstressed to find most of them failed. I was unhappy, so I decided to revise the lecture, add some handouts and do 2 written problems in class with the students. The next time, everyone passed because they had it in their hands
Wendy,
Thank you for the post. Your quiz can also work as a review for the students.
Thanks
Jim
Tom,
Excellent point. CATs can be used to assess the effectiveness of a type of learning mode.
Thanks
Jim
I believe that CATs are very effective if used at the beginning of every new unit. It lets the students know what will b covered in the unit (as well as what they need to be concerned with). It also lets the instructor know which areas they need to spend more time on and which areas they can spend less time on.
Jim
The instructor should use ungraded and annonymous CATs to encourage students involvement and less threating. The students and the instructor will collaborately share information.
I will use (CATs)at the start of the term as a way to get an assessment of my students. I break my students into groups and have them perform a demonstration of the technique learned or a lecture the next day. This I find will help students learn to the students who are being taught and the team that is performing the demo.
Hi Brian - welcome to Ed 103! As someone who can pretty much hack-up beautifully cooked meat, I agree that learning knife skills is really important ,if only from a safety perspective!;-)
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
