Verbatim Statements from Text?!?
It staggers me when students complain that the offered choices or statements on a test "don't match the definition in the book."
Somewhere, students are not being asked to do more than memorize words, and that is passing for "education." When I say "somewhere," I mean prior to college.
It is rare that I take language directly from a textbook for a test question. Typically, during class discussions I use the text as a springboard to materials from other sources. Since I teach law, those other materials tend to be court opinions and statutes.
When learning rules of law, verbatim language is required. I will write fact scenarios for my test questions, then ask students to dig up the concept or doctrine or rule form their memories, then have them apply the rule to the facts.
Law, like life, is not multiple choice.
Hi Shannie, I am assuming that you cannot revise tests? How about the study guides? Can you give other assignments that will require application and use of critical thinking?
Susan Polick
I have the same issue. We have standardized tests that are part of our curriculum. The test questions are verbatim from the lecture, reading AND the study guide. I have found my students are only capable of "memorizing" the study guide. They cannot extrapolate any information from the study guide to relate to the test. I am doing my best to get them to understand the material, and not just memorize it. Unfortunately, they are also spoiled, and used to having a "review" of the study guide, where the instructor validates their answers so that they can "study" (aka memorize) the study guide.
If we teach to the test, give them a study guide that is a 1:1 match to test questions, and we validate their study guide answers prior to the test, what, really, are they learning??
I think sometimes they are just putting in time.
You are right about that. The Bar exam will provide a good example!
Hi Joseph - Loved your final note - "Law, like life, is not multiple choice." Excellent! Susan
