Get Your Students Hired
I understand the need for quizzes and tests completely, and feel they do an excellent job in ascertaining what is necessary. My question is, what about pop-quizzes? Do those really assess what is known, or it simply just a tool to scare students?
Hi Andrew, Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that quizzes can be very useful but I prefer to schedule them on a weekly basis. If students know that they will be tested they will hopefully be prepared and I get the weekly feedback that is need. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The idea that pop quizzes serve no purpose seems very silly. Pop quizzes can be useful for:
a. Assessing a student's study habits, particularly if reading assignments were issued the previous week. Do they study only when they know a test is coming up, or is it a strong habit?
b. Encouraging attendance/discipline in the classroom. On a campus where tardiness (and students taking extended breaks without permission) is a consistent problem, the possibility of an unannounced quiz that will count toward the final grade keeps many of them on time.
Hi Nathan, I never use "pop quizzes" as I prefer to have my students know that every Monday they will have a quiz on last week's material. This encourages them to review. The pop quiz in my opinion, serves no real purpose. Best wishes- Susan
Susan Polick