Well, that depends on a few factors. If I am being tested on a blood draw or a hand washing technique, then a skill application (practical) test is most likely the optimal test. As with my English master's degree tests, essay would certainly seem to be the best assessment, and with my students currently in a general student success class, I am very well convinced that the classic multiple choice examination is the most appropriate.
In our Institution we have a written test and a hands on Lab Final.
I prefer short answer and Multiple choice. I have found True and Flase questions to be more of a guessing game and it can really throw students off.
I will use application and have also used presentations when I teach those types of courses.
there is no one method to test student, while objective tupe brings out teh prescise information the student is supposed to know the short answer and essays will justify why the and how the student can use the knowledge to solve the problem in career field
The 2 most effective methods of assesment for my students are multiple choice tests and skills assessment. The multiple choice demonstrates how much of the information the students have understood and retained. The skills assessment shows me if they are ready to go out to the real world to do their externship.
Hi Mary - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your emphasis on the multiple choice assessment is a good choice as this will make your students more comfortable with the format in the accreditation exam. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Juan - Thanks for your post to the forum. I also try to vary my assessment choices - students seem to appreciate this as well. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
HI Tamara - Thanks for your post to the forum. I am also a fan of using varied assessments. Restating the question and/or providing additional information does often lead students to the correct answer. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Matthew- Thanks for your post to the forum. Just as students have different learning styles, there is usually diversity in their assessment type preferences, so your strategy makes great sense! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Evan - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that essay type questions require students to demonstrate more mastery of concepts than do quizzes. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
At my institution we use written assignments. They're not fun to grade, but since the assignments require them to apply what they've learned to given situations, I feel that they do a better job at assessing students' understanding than quizzes. Moreover, since I teach online, exams are just not practical due to the high level of academic dishonesty possible.
I don't believe there is one best way. I try to provide multiple types of assessments throughout the course so as to provide different types of opportunities. In general I try to assess the knowledge retained. Then I try to have the students apply what they have retained in their own chosen fields. I usually use an essay type of assessment.
I feel the most effective ways to assess learning of the students is mutliple choice, matching, and verbal questioning. Although verbal questioning seems a little to advanced, however if the student is having trouble answering the question, then it is ok assist the student in answering the question.
I actually like to do a complete mix which will engage the student in proper study methods for preparation. In order to determine your teaching capabilities I believe we must test various mehods almost always instead of opting for the most logical...True/False or Multiple Choice.
I especially like the multiple choice method--this is the standard in which the nstudents will be tested on for their accreditation.
Hi Barbara - Application based assessments are a "must" in assessing skill based knowledge. Thanks for an excellent post! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I always use a combination of multiple choice questions drawn from the text testbank and a hands-on project similar to what we have covered. For example, if we just went over using PowerPoint software, I have them create a short presentation with various required components. The students frequently can do something when they could not correctly answer a MC choice question about the same topic. I feel that is representative of two factors: poor reading comprehension skills and the fact that in the real world, there are frequently mutliple chances to get something right. If they try to insert a new slide and don't get it right the first time, they can try again without penalty, something which is not true of a MC test.
In a perfect world I could dictate independently what each student has learned based on his prefered learning style. Since that is unrealistic I try to incorporate a variety of methods in tests in order to fill everyone's pallette.
Hi Jennifer- Thanks for your post to the forum. Tailoring assessments to the type of knowledge/skill you are looking at is very important. As you mention, a student may be able to produce the recipe for baklava in written form without missing a step or ingredient, but if that student cannot MAKE baklava he/she has not mastered the skill. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The most efficient way is the one that contribute to solidify the students' knowledge.
Therefore, based on the type of knowledge or skill to assess, it is necessary to adapta the testing method to it.
Workinng for a culinary institute, we have sevearl tests are more hands-on in order to assess the student ability to prepare a dish in a certain time line and with certain standards of quality.
