Test questions should directly reflect the material being taught. They should also be used as a tool for the instructor to help critique his/her delivery of the material and where the student is in the process
Hi Diego - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your choice of assessment content is excellent. Students really seem frustrated when they are asigned content to learn but then are never assessed on that content. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The testing content must be aligned with the class objectives, topics reviewed during the class and all the corresponding bibliography assigned.
Whenever content is being considered, rememeber the course syllabi and objectives. Make sure that you explain and engage learning with each so the students will be prepared. Tests are double edged swords, they service both the student and teacher. We are obligated to make sure we do a thorough job teaching and students learning and engaging in new information and ideas. It helps a teacher become more effective and a student to develop new ways of retaining information which will be beneficial.
As is the setup at my college.
Testing content should be varied and test on all different levels. I usually mix up test content between multiple choice, true/false and fill in.
Hi Sadie - Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, having a written test as well as a skills application assessment is ideal! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Almitra - Medical Terminology is definitely a lot of memorization including how to prefixes and suffixes correctly. As you state, these are the skills that your students must demonstrate. Susan
The testing content should cover the lecture/demonstration that is displayed in class and should include the MAIN topics of each chapter of the text books. Terminology/definitions is huge as it builds their vocabuluary but will require them to learn words that pertain to what they are learing.
At the Post secondary college i instruct at the students are required to test there knowledge multiple ways. They have writen test and Lab test that are equall in grades. By having both of these available to the student your able to assess their knowledge.
I believe that the content to be selected should be based on your learning objectives. Additionally it would be optimal that the content selected can be items from lecture.
Hi Sarah!
I agree that objectives identified and discussed should be met on testing material. At my college, we are required to give standarized tests for the Chapter Exams. However, the instructors are allowed to create their own quizes, tests, researh assignments, homework, etc. In these areas, I ensure that all material covered in my lecture is reviewed and tested.
I feel that giving quizzes and class discussion covering the material along the way is very important.The student will be more prepared as to what format the test will be given.
Hi Justin - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that the only fair assessment will cover material that we know has been covered. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I make it known to my students that I am not here to "trick" anyone. I only include information on the test that we covered through class discussion and information from their readings. The test will not be the first time they are seeing the information.
Selecting testing content most often comes from the course objectives and I add in any extra qestions pertinant to subject content from each class.
consistent to what is being lectured and what students will be tested on in that class and state test.
Hi Linda - You have an excellent assessment plan in place! Susan
The testing process should happen on a consistent basis during the course. I like to test/quiz every few classes. This allows me to evaluate if I need to go back and discuss a topic a second time or if a student needs additional help or tutoring with a topic.
My weekly learning exercises consist of multiple choice, T/F, and fill in the blank questions. My final exam is cummulative for the course, in the same three formats.
By Edwardo Mojena
When selecting or making a test i make the test an overall of what we been over thru class and how we learned it in steps.
