Itaught a 40 hour certificate course and used quizzes at the start of class to assess retainment and discussion sessions at the end to reflect on content learning.
I like to give quizzes. This allows the student to measure their progress and it also permits them to prepare for a later exam. I also like to review with the individual student their mid -term progress report.
Hi Kim - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that in skill based learning a final project can be the best assessment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Teaching skill-based courses allows evaluation during the class as to how well they are following tutorials (are they having problems keeping up), the completion of the tutorial help to access skill level (were they able to do the tutorial and follow directions) and this is followed up with a project that tests many levels of skills learned. The first two are critical and part of the learning process but the project is really the best assessment of retention, problems solving, creativity and following directions.
I like to use a drawing as a form of evaluation. If I lecture one a new drawing, I like to have my students do a quick sketch on what I lecture before they start their project.
when creating quizzes, reinforce the students knowledge, and debate may arise among them as they figurre out what the questions are, how to phrase or frame them, and whether the answers they offer can be backed up by what is in the text, lecture content, demo, etc.
We have daily quizzes as well as open discussion about each topic, I want them to answer questions about material before we learn it to see what their baseline is for the subject matter.
Hi karen - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your students certainly benefit from the active learning and group work that they are doing! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I find assigning projects to the students and having them share them as a presentation in class with posters, videos, and powerpoints is a great way to assess the students progress with understanding the materials.
regular quizes can be intimidating to some students. I like to start class with time for them to ask me questions from the day before and then I will ask questions of them to form a discussion of what they have learned.
I use a short five or six question activity. After the students complete the activity, it is discussed. I can see from the answers whether the individual student understands the material or not. This is much less stressful than a quiz.
Hi Joseph - Thanks for your post to the forum. Excellent assessment strategy! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Using formative evaluation methods
I agree. Quiz, Mid-Term,& Final Exam are a good formative evaluation methods.
I find it helpful to do a review prior to giving a quiz or exam.
Then I like to grade the quiz and exam right away. Then I hand the exam back to the students and generate a class discussion on the results. This is a feedback approach to reinforce what they learned, but also the help in the areas they are weak in.
Hi Robb - those in-class assessments even if ungraded do indeed give you feedback. Best wishes - Susan
I prefer to use short in class or homework assignments that show the students learning progress of the current topic. These are normally to the point and can be completed in 10 minutes. Some are graded, but most are utilized as progress indicators.
develope a student self evaluatipn
Before I start the day with my students, I find it imperative that I have a brief overview of the previous days work-whether it was a lecture, hands-on, group discussion, etc. That helps me to figure out who I need to watch out for if they aren't retaining the information or maybe even reflect back on myself if I feel the whole class didn't retain it. Once I feel confident from the previous day I will move on. I also put the days objectives on the white board before my students arrive to give them some idea of what goals we need to achieve that day.
Along with quizes and tests you can use verbal appraisal as a formative evaluation for your students. Something as small as a "star' on their homework paper can show them their progress.
Hi Teresita- Thanks for your post to the forum. The frequent feedback that you are providing to your students is excellent! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Doris - Wow- What excellent current feedback you give your students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
