Frequent Exams
I find covering such a vast subject in such a short amount of time is easier when the students test frequently. Short exams followed by a summative exams that serve as the midterm and final exam, each of them comprehensive and cumulative.
This helps reiterate the information and the students are able to keep track of their progress as mentioned in the exercise.
I do agree with the above-mentioned statement. In teaching Anatomy and Pyhsiology, I have to divide the systems into small portions and test frequently. This must be done because Anatomy and physiology is a complicated subjest. To cover a system in one, two or even three sessions is impossible, if you really want to do justice to the system and not short-change the students. Students must be tested frequently, when that particular block of knowledge is fresh in their minds.
Hi Harry, Good idea! It certainly gives you an idea of the classes previous knowledge and can serve as a guide to how you will proceed.
Susan Polick
In my classroom I like to give a pop quiz before I begin a topic, that way the students are engaged in the topic before we begin. I ask them to give their best guess if they don't know the answer. This primes the pump in a sense and introduces the content to be covered. Although its a "test" the approach can be summative in nature if used to assess prior knowledge. Its easy to do and the students, believe it or not, get used to this as a way to start a new chapter for example, and ask for the "pop quiz" without a prompt from me.
yes giving students short quiz can help them
Hi Debra, Thanks for your post to the forum. The frequent feedback you get from those quizzes is so important to effective instruction. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I agree, I lecture M - Th, and have small "quizzes" every T, W and Th based on what was covered the day before. I change up the quizzes, some days they are multiple choice, fill in or written paragraphs.
I agree, I tend to give short 5-10 point quizzes just to check for comprehension. This allows for me to see if what I am teaching is making sense and they the students are retaining the information.
I believe that frequent exams are important for the students progress and self confidence.
i also agree with frequent exams, my students seem to know the material better
Hi Brenda,Thanks for your post to the forum. I absolutely agree that frequent assessment and feedback is essential. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I have found that frequent short evaluations of students learning aids in the reinforcement of learning. The repetition of concentrating on certain key points helps the learning process.
I agree with frequent exams because the students feel they are able to take the exams and 'know the material' before we continue on to the next subject.
Hello Zafar,
Wouldn't it be grat if they had these online so that the student could have instant feedback as well?
Good thoughts. Sometimes there is so much information to cover. The use of short quizes allows me and the students to know where to focus their studies for the exams. It also can show me
who needs extra help, and if I have totally failed to teach a specific area of the topic.
I agree with you Zafar. The material is presented in such a compressed time frame it makes it easier to ensure the information is being taught, comprehended, and retained. I also like the idea of giving students a way to check their progression within the course. It also helps the student discover any problem areas they need to address before a mid term or final exam.
I agree also. More can be learned in smaller sections.
I agree. I like to break the content into small sections. I see best results when I test more often but connect the new material to what they have already been evaluated on. This reinforces the value of the content and builds student confidence.
Hi Zafar, More feedback though frequent assessments is always a good idea. Susan
Susan Polick
