I like to take an assessment of all my students. This way I have a better understanding of how to instruct, generate test, understand them and their learning styles. I can give better feedback.
I would ask student to provide a Background Knowledge Probe to assess the student’s knowledge of a topic before commencement of a lecture. In addition, I would ask the students to provide Minute papers at the end of each class to assess their level of comprehension and address questions.
CATs are important because they give an instructor the means to obtain significant information about the effectiveness of their instruction. These techniques can be incorporated into an instructor's teaching by given students the ability to demonstrate what they've learned in active exercises. For example, in a Computerized Billing Course, many of the techniques and objectives are based on manipulating a Medical Database System. A traditional paper assessment would not be as effective as provideing students with exercises to assess their understanding of how to use the system. These exercises could in turn be used to provide feedback once the exercises are complete.
I have used the minute paper in the past, but after taking this course I think I will use it more often.
I think that CAT's are very effective and I use them on a daily basis in order to help the student and me, as the instructor, better evaluate if additional strategies should be employed on the group as a whole. Quick review of the covered material at the end of the class help not just to solidify what was covered but to give the student something to walk away with. This could be either "I learned something, need more information or feel comfortable with what I have learned.
Hi Daniel - I so agree - when students get the relevancy of what we are teaching, they are more willing to learn. Susan
In one of my prior classes, I used to give out a questionnaire on the first day that was essentially a detailed inventory of the topics in the class. The questions examined how familiar they were with the topics. I collected them and put them in an envelope and sealed it in front of them. On the last day, I had them fill out the same questionnaire. When they finished, I handed back the first one so they could compare how much they acquired and how far they had come.
I do the same thing as does Janet K.: In my Student Success classes, I try to relate the chapter topics to a real-life situation and how this exercise would apply. This is beneficial because it both proves that our topics of discussion and learning are not just busy work or applicable to only a few, and it also helps the students realize the importance of tools such as this in their everyday lives. I also agree with the computer module in that CATs are a good idea to administer at either the the end of the one class or the beginning of the next, and they will hopefully provide a solid assessment of student absorption of materials, goals, and objectives so that a teacher may understand whether or not he/she is connecting properly with the students.
We use something similar to CAT's we call the CAB's short assessment of what the students have learned for the lesson or section we have covered. This gives me an idea if students are learning an can apply the materials we covered in class.
Exit slips I found to be a good way to assess student learning I use them at the end of class when we are covering material that is imporatnt and what to get a feel for the knowledge of the students. Exit slips also work well when you may be teaching a class for the first time and you want to make sure you are raching all students in the class.
In my court reporting classes I, too, try to relate an assignment to a real-life situation and what the outcome could be, such as, making the importance of proper key-stroking and the importance of getting the exact word said would apply.
by giving short questions to match with
all possible answers will give idea about the information the student has retained.
ask students to preapre quesytipons and then exchange them among students to be answered
ask the studenrt to break down intro varios short topics or give topics and ask student to organise them in a proper manner will give idea
about the pattern of learning and retention
slip test aftyer a topic about the concept give idea to the student about the content
Hi Chris - I also like to use projects. Having students present their work also makes them more comfortable with presentation skills. Best wishes - Susan
I like to give the students a project that requires them to research new information related to what we are going over in class. Then I have them present their findings. This allows the student to show how much they have learned and provides the opportunity to learn from each other. Each student is complimented for their contributions.
HI Janet- Thanks for your post to the forum. As you demonstrate, helping students to see the relevance of what they are learning is very important! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
In my computer word processing classes, I always try to relate the current assignment to a real-life situation and how this exercise would apply.
I have been doing variations of this in my class for years, but it has been more informal in nature. I like the idea of having more formal CAT's to help provide feedback on performance. Sharing the results with the students would also be an effective way to gauge comprehension. I have always used them as a way to let me know how they were doing. Then I would adjust my lessons accordingly. I think it would be a very effective way to help them know how they were doing as well.
Hi Daniel - I hope that you find that the Minute Paper is useful. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Quizzes are given frequently on the assigned reading material from textbooks and handouts. Feedback from the results of these tests let the students know if they are retaining the material.
I like that system but if the students ane not getting point that count may dont even try to ansewer they correctly.
