Get Your Students Hired
Hi Kyla- Thanks for your post to the forum. Generally, I prefer the mixed type of assessment that you describe also. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
For my exams, I use a variety of questions, such as: multiple choice, true/false, completion, short answer, matching, and application. I think this enables me to present the material in a variety of different ways and one option may appeal more to my students. By offering a variety of questions for my assessments, I think I efficiently cater to my students preferences. For example, I would hate to give an essay test if all of my students hated taking essay tests. By providing a variety of choices, I think it helps to lower test anxiety knowing that a section of questions may be presented in a format that is preferred by each student.
In teaching graphic design topics, I usually try to come up with a mix of written tests and practical tests. That way I will get a more rounded picture of what a student knows. It is most often the case that students who do well on the written, also do well on the practical.
Besides tests I like to ask questions, we play a game called cheferdy. When the students answer the questions that is when I assess how much they have learned.
Since I teach writing courses, the majority of my assessments are essay or short answer. They have different writing activities throughout the semester and I have them put them in a portfolio and submit it at the end of the semester.
Hi Matthew- Thanks for your post to the forum. What you have described is a very comprehensive approach to assessment - great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Determining the most effective way to assess the learning of student will depend a lot on the curriculum and the lesson plan. In our program, and in particular my block, I believe a mix of assessments will maximize student learning. Beginning with diagnostic learning at the start of class, continuing with assorted CATs during the three weeks, and then finishing with an essay question gives me a wholistic look at the educational process. Through attentive composition of tests, combined with watching feedback from test results, an instructor can monitor the course plan and determine if the students learning potential is being maximized.
I prefer to use the skills application for testing. In teaching positioning for Radiology, the student must know the anatomy and the positioning areas. I can also assess the critical thinking skills for dealing with a "real" patient.
Hi Rich - Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, application based assessments are often the best choice for certain programs/courses. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
For me I think that the most effective way to assss my students is by giving project based tests. I think this gives me a much better assesment of which students know how to use the skills that have been taught than a traditional multiple choice or true false test.
Hi Mary - Thanks for your post to the forum. Mixing testing formats is also my preferred assessment type. It seems to be the most fair for all learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I believe the most effective method is class discussion content. However, because traditional tests are necessary, I match the type of test appropriately to the content. Generally, I will mix types of tests within one. For instance, some short answer, some multiple choice, some fill-in, etc.
Hi Dena- Thanks for your post to the forum. The assessment plan that you describe will be ideal for your students as to be career ready they need to pass the certification exam and also be able demonstrate their skill level in the field. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
My students would need an integration of practical skill testing and written test. The written for facts to be prepared for certification test and practical exams to be prepared for job performance.
Hi Sunny- I could not agree with you more!! As the instructor, interacting on a daily basis with our students, we know how they are doing. Thus, as you point out, we need to balance any major exams with what we see daily. Best wishes- Susan
I feel that students daily/weekly work is more important than a test grade. Some students have really bad test anxiety which hinders performance. If a student can show over and over again that they are meeting course objectives, I don't believe that one assessment on one day means a whole lot. It's hardly fair for some students who do not do the work, but test well, to be measured with students who work hard every day but may have test anxiety. In the workforce, your performance every day is what is important.
I believe employing a variety of evaluation methods to assess student learning is most effective as a means of striving to triangulate assessment.
Hi Wayne p Thanks for your post to the forum. For the discipline that you teach, I think that your choices of assessments is quite appropriate. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
As a criminal justice instructor, I prefer to use multiple choice quizzes and exam to assess student progress. It also helps me gauge my instructional strategies. I also use essay questions see if students are grasping broader concepts.