Hi Michelle- Thanks for your post to the forum. As you stated, much depends on what we are teaching, but I also like to use a mix of written and hands on assessments whenever possible and approriate. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I believe that it depends upon what you are teaching. It has been my experience that hands on is the most effective as well as the one most enjoyed by the students. I have found that many students freak out over written tests where as hands on work gives them a better oppertunity for success.
I like to use a combination of styles including multiple choice, short answer, identification, and skill application.
The minute paper is excellent because students can express what was not clear to them without the fear of embarrassment.
Hi Wendy - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your choices of assessment types are excellent! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
To be fair to all types of learners, I like using a variety of testing measures on all my tests. Some students are terrified of completion and short answer and some love the challenge. So I do MC, TF and matching or completion and always some short answer questions. Short answer gives me a chance to see how students can cognitively put thought and application together.
Hi Mindy - Thanks for your post to the forum. From the feedback i get from many instructors, Multiple Choice is definitely a preferred assessment type. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I personally like to use multiple choice questions to assess my students. This gives a general idea of the comprehension of the student as well as a general over all assessment of the class. Helping me to know which areas need to be covered again.
Hi Stan - thanks for your post to the forum. You are usinga nice mix of assessment types and I also use less T/F. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I fell the most effective ways to assess student's learning is not just one type of test format. I mix it up with multiple choice, true false, and short answer.
I'm not a fan of a lot of true/false so I keep it minimal.
If it is a lab class, I also give lab practicals to evaluate their hands-on knowledge.
Edna, you bring up a valid point! I teach public school, but also at a community college. One of the issues that the college has faced is the students' lack of "soft skills" and they have asked all instructors to integrate these skills within every content area. Students are not able to write effectively in every day type writing: thank you notes, inter-office memos, etc. Additionally, communication skills are lacking. It has made me conscious of each lesson/unit to be sure to ask student to verbally explain, define, present and/or support their ideas and thoughts. thanks...carol
Louis, do you create these assessments yourself, or do you use a curriculum created assessment? The reason I ask, is that I am an English instructor and this is a constant source of stress for me. On one hand, I think I need to create my own because I may not cover all the material a curriculum assessment may contain. But, the other side, is that this is so time consuming because these assessments are not a "one size fits all." One class may require more time to learn the concepts or to cover the same material and cannot use the same test. I just wonder how you deal with this problem.
I think a broad mix of methods not only tests different types of knowledge but can accommodate different test preferences and strengths by the students.
Hi Scott - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your assessment strategy is very comprehensive - great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
an effective method is to use greater than one type of testing modality. Since each student learns differently, they should be given a chance to be tested on their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses. Consequently, I use paper and pencil tests, evaluate their ability to answer and ask questions, and their ability to perform assigned tasks outside of class, e.g. homework and special assignments. In addition, since I teach primarily science courses, they are also graded on their ability to follow directions in wet labs for the tactile learners. By combining all these methods it gives each student the opportunity to do well even if one of the assessment methods is not their strong point.
Short quizzes of a formative nature, and then a presentation in which the student demonstrates real learning of key course concepts by teaching his/her classmates.
I feel the most effective ways to assess the learning outcome of students would be having students to demonstrate the subject or skill. Testing using multiple choice, true and false questions, as well as essay questions.
By, Edwardo Mojena
I assess in two ways, at the beginning of class to find what I’m working with and during the middle also to see if any achievements are being made or if i need to change my style in teaching.
I like multiple choice, short answer with at least one essay question. I like to let the students demonstrate what they know on the essay question.
Have found in this learning environment, objective assessments are best. The content is very difficult, therefore, objective assessing allows for reasonable success and a valuable practice tool for further credentialing.
