I observe and analyze the student's subject knowledge and skills performance during classes. This helps me to determine the best type of testing format. It also lets me know if I need to go back over a subject matter before testing.
For skills testing, we use skills demonstration, which the kinesthetic learners seem to enjoy more than paper-based testing. In the classroom, we use paper-based testing, which the visual and written-word learners seem to prefer.
We use Multiple Choice blended with true or false and Essay testing which accounts for 20% of the student overall course grade, along with Skill Application which accounts for 30% of the overall grade.
Our instructor staff do not get to choose what type of testing is done, but facilitate what is approved by our curriculum development team.
It seems to be fairly rounded out and students that study do well on the testing.
Hi Tim, Thanks for your post to the forum. You are using a very comprehensive mix of assessment formats! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Standardized tests are used for lecture or theory courses. The test consists of T/F and Multiple Choice questions. As for lab courses, skills application tests are mainly used to assess students.
I think having a variety of testing formats leads to mastery....I use a combination when test my students. I also work with my students on strategies for testing...I always explain that performing well on exams requires skills and takes practice. We work on process of elimination and how to ask what the question is really asking etc...
I use a variety of testing formats. during lecture/discussion I will give pop quizzes to check student understanding and attention to the facts. Exams are two part, first part is objective 10 T/F, 35 multiple choice, and 2 short answer. The second part of testing is a collaborative case study of the content we covered in the section. There are usually five exams in a 12 week course. Each exam builds on the previous information until the final which is comprehensive.
The basic criteria is the subject matter and how it has been presented. I do a lot of application and active learning so test through performance tests. To see if text concepts are acquired I may use the standardized test and quizzes. The more types of written questions I use will tell me some of what the student uses to learn. No two students are alike and I must be sure there are viable questions that can be answered by all students at all levels.
Before I came to teach at the Career college, I had made myself a promise not to ever use a Scantron. I had been taught that the use of such assessment methods was not "authentic assessment."
The day I hired on to my present teaching facility, I was informed, "You will only use the Scantron." I am still employed there, so you know what format I use.
I preferred to use the more authentic assessment methods such as short answer, essay, completion, etc.
I prefer multiple choice or true false. Maybe it is just laziness (or based on the # of students and my time), but I prefer to use these types of testing formats in most of my classes.
I use a combination (usually matching, T/F, and multiple choice) because not all students are comfortable with just one test format. Since I'm 'gen ed', I don't have the pleasure of using skill application tests and usually select from the standardized test banks.
Multiple choice because it covers more content and it reduces guessing.
I think we should have several methods, not just one.My learning is very hands on.If we could impliment a couple of varities, this would help on all aspects.
Hi Wendy, Thanks for your post to the forum. You describe a very comprehensive approach to assessment.Best wishes for an excellent July quarter!
Susan Polick
Hi Tracey, Yes some disciplines require specific assessment formats.Best wishes for an excellent July quarter!
Susan Polick
I try to use standardize test and read through the questions to make the questions were covered during the class, reading or homework
I have found in the past, depending on the topic; i.e., Basic Computer Skills, we have used a couple of different test types. We would use Matching to see if they understood the various terms, Essay's to see if they could explain operations of and for, and then they would do On-Hands. The On-Hands portion was to show us, the instructors, how to complete various tasks on the computer. Sometimes other instructors would come in and evaluate the On-Hands portion.
It depends on the class information that you are trying to convey. I prefer multiple choice but for example a math class, students have to do the work and write it all out for credit.
At a technical trade school (audio engineering) I find that kinesthetic tests are most effective because it allows students to demonstrate the physical skills they have learned and gain confidence working with gear and hardware.
I select a testing format based on the topic area covered. To best evalaute student comprehension sometimes a conbination of the different testing formats has to be utilized.
