i agree selecting the content should be inline with the objectives. Coding an diagnosis or procedure is one answer. I have to use short answer. You don't have multiple choice in the real world.
Hi Donald, You make some excellent points! Assessment should not be just an adjunct to curriculum. An integrated approach is best. Susan
Susan Polick
I think that the objectives or the tasks being taught should be the basis for the content and should be written by the same team that is writing the course, that way terminology matches, and the spirit or feel of the content is the same. Also, the content should be developed along with the curriculum, not after the fact.
Hi Kimberly, Thanks for your post to the forum. The assessments that you choose are very appropriate for the classes that you teach. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The objectives of the course should dictate your selection of testing content. With my parasitology class, one of the course objectives is visual identification of parasites, competency in performing the lab test to identify the parasites, and have the acquired knowledge to educate clients on zoonotic threats and ill effects to the pet. My testing content is therefore the visual identification of parasites, performance of the lab skill with a skill assessment test, and multiple choice and matching to test knowledge base of parisitology.
I ensure that the material on the test or quizzies was reviewed in class and that the students have a clear understanding of the curriculum studies.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your post to the forum. Good examples of things to be considered when creating assessments! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I believe you should take into consideration the course objectives and the specific learning outcomes for each chapter. You also need to make sure it covers the material you presented in the class.
Excellent reply! Our school is moving from a universal, multiple-choice testing style, to a new system that will allow for different types of testing. I'm very excited to go in and make the tests more comprehensive and engaging to all learning styles.
Material that was directly or indirectly covered in your instruction. Do not test on subjects or material that was not either part of the reading or instruction in the course.
selecting test content is important in assessing a specific area of the content..
I base my criteria on what was covered in class. During lectures I specifically point out to students what I would consider to be key material that needs to be mastered.
The content should contain information that has been covered. There should be no surprises on a test. It helps us to know if the student grasped the information that was given or if we should be going over it again.
Hi Judith - Yes- basing your assessments on the course objectives is the best way to go! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The criteria for selecting testing content is the course objectives. What we want the students to know, concepts rather than multitudes of facts.
I like this response- if a student is given clear learning objectives at the start of a lesson- this should be able to serve as a study guide for them- if instructors are giving objectives and not testing on them, they aren't objectives or the instructor isn't selecting appropriate test questions. I've heard students complain that a particular instructor's test wasn't on what they learned in class- going back and looking at the instructor's presentations, which included objectives, we could easily see if that was/wasn't true.
Hi Angela - Great choices when constructing assessments! Susan
I agree that course objectives and test content should be linked when selecting the content. I also feel that content should be chosen based on its importance in the field of study. If content is not relevant or outdated, it should not be included on the test. Likewise, content that is covered on tests should have been available or clearly articulated to students either via textbook, lecture or handouts. I also take in to account if the student will need to know this information for a certification exam, if the answer is yes, then the content will be covered on an exam.
I believe that the objectives of the class and everything that is discussed in class.
I believe the test content should be chosen to coincide with real world application. I have tests provided by the text book author, but sometime the questions are not very relevant to the application/skill necessary. I use my experience in the filed of study to create/modify tests.
