Since I predominantly teach general education classes, and therefore coursework that is relevant-but not necessarily integral to-any one specific career-field, I generally use a combination of multiple-choice and short answer exams.
I teach cosmetology and we need to test using all formats. Our curriculum consists of theory and hands on activities. By evaluating students with every type of test allows for a successful learning environment.
Hi Donna, Thanks for your post to the forum. You teach an interesting mix of classes! I also like essay/ short answer in my Critical Thinking classes, but grading is always tough! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I like to use different types of criteria for testing. I know True/False has a bad reputation, however, I like T/F and if the answer is False, make it True.
Since I teach Hematology/Phlebotomy, test out for skills is mandatory.. So I have to know the student understands that.
Because I teach in a medical assisting program, skills assessments tend to be what the students excel at, however, in my critical thinking class I give short answer essay tests and the students do better with those than with multiple choice or true and false in some of my other courses.
I teach web coding classes. I include both written testing (multiple choice, true/false, etc.) and practical testing. By practical I mean that the students is asked to apply their coding knowledge by writing code to solve a problem. The challenge with the practical side of testing is making sure that the problem is hard enough to challenge them, but not so hard that they are set up to get frustrated, waste time or quit, and then know do what they are really capable of.
Hi JanetMarie, Love that final project idea!
Susan Polick
I use a mixture of multiple choice and skills based tests to assess learning in my class. The students must create a multi-media presentation that illustrates their understanding of environmental science in their field of study as a final.
Hi Carl, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your own personal experience gives you such insight to use in your own teaching career. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
This is kind of an issue for me. I am new to teaching, I have worked in the clinical field for 30+ years. This is a new skill set for me.
The text books I use don't have any instructor materials with them, no power points, no test questions. So, I am in the process of developing tests and have found using the multiple choice type of question easy to construct, but I also use matching and short essay.
Using Exam View has also helped and sometimes I look on the internet for question ideas in a specific topic. I have also contacted otheer department chairs for questions they may have. I am in the process of writing the power points and putting the test questions in Exam View and sharing the banks with them to help them with time management.
I have an associated degree and remember one specific instructor and every question she asked was a double negative . . . and I have dyslexia so those tests were extremely difficult for me, first I had to rephrase the questions in my mind and then answer the questions. I brought this issue to her and she was indifferent to my problem, but when she was confronted by the student services people who then informed her there were many more students now who are diagnosed as dyslexic or with other reading problems, she was asked to write questions which were straight forward and not ambiguous.
It is something to keep in mind, no one has a sign on their forehead saying, reading disorder. Myself, I have honed my listening skills which is why I don't read music but have been very successful in being an accomplished musician and having been on stage with many nationally recognized names, played as a side man with John Denver for a time, kept in contact with him up to his accident.
Hi Lawrence, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is a good combination of assessment types. I also like to use case studies/scenarios! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I like to use multiple choice and scenario practicals. I feel they are both effective with learning the objectives and being able to perform the task at hand
Hi Ronda, That seems to be a very effective and relevant assessment strategy!
Susan Polick
We use a variety of testing formats with nursing students. To gather their best knowledge about patient care / skills - we use the kinesthetic portion. This will let us gain a good understanding (visual) of their skills in each section of the class.
Hi Susan,
My program chair has set the standard lecture exam to include T/F (and double T/F), MChoice, Matching,Completion fill-in-the-blank, Essay, and Case Study. Efforts are made to mimic state licensing tests so students will be familiar with testing questions. Clinical testing is through Application Competencies. Although T/F and MChoice questions are easier to grade, I feel I can assess students' learning more accurately with completion and essay formats.
Hi Jenny, thanks for your post to the forum. Excellent that you quickly review assessments with your students. It is the best way to maximize the value of them. I also allow my student to keep their exams as study guides. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Peter, Good rationale for assessment choices!
Susan Polick
I use a mix of all types of questions on my exams to reach all students. I find that true false seems to be the most difficult at times because of the attention to detail it takes to answer them. A lot of students will skip through and miss vital parts of the questions. It is important to teach the students that attention to detail is extremely important.
Rick...I too use this sort of performace-based exam. I try to stay away from object assessments, as they can often promote guessing.
I teach both lecture and lab classes. In my lecture classes I find that multiple choice tests work the best for my students. We go over them right away so that they get the right information when it is still fresh. I also allow them to keep their tests to study. These tests help prepare them for their state board exam which is also multiple choice.
