Working with culinary students, we typically use skill application testing when evaluating students, followed by multiple choice to broaden the scope of testing.
When creating tests, I use a mixture of formats in my tests. The subjects that I teach are both formative and hands-on. By doing this, I feel I am giving tests that cover course content and I am also challenging the students with the hands-on problems.
We use two criteria: students need to quickly and accurately find technical information in an industry where specifications and procedures change swiftly. Secondly, after having found the proper information, they need to perform the task to the instructors and the manufacturers standards.
the criteria i use is based as to what we have learned and accomplish that day in our clinical setting and how much knowledge and understanding the students have comprehend
Since I only teach classes in the MBA program, most assignments require "higher thinking", and are the "essay" type. During class discussions, however, there are opportunities for using multiple choice, and true/false type questions.
I select test formats based on the course/class I am teaching. If it is Anatomy/Terminology I use multiple choice because I find that is most beneficial in letting me know what that they know the material. I rarely use essay questions because I feel a lot of times the anwers from students are hard to read and determine exactly what they were thinking in relationship to what I was looking for in an answer. I sometimes find True or False questions beneficial because either they know the fact I am stating or they do not. I agree Mix and Match tests can sometimes be confusing because if the student gets one wrong they usuall get two wrong. So in summary, I agree that Multiple Choice tests seem to be the most beneficial.
I think this is true if you can keep them engage and in a 2 way conversation.
Working in a culinary school, it is very important to use both a written style test as well as practical testing. As we are learning how to produce foods and cuisines, to help retain it doing both styles of testing is key.
Every student has thier own style of learning
You need to consider the meaterial that you are testing on.
We use multiple choice tests because that is the format used by the national board. The students must pass the national board exam in order to apply for a state license.
I feel that you need to select a variety of testing formats in order to encompass all learning styles within your assessment. I feel that by using a variety of styles it will give you a fairer reading of student comprehension.
Lori
In history, you must assess the learning styles of your students and use a variety of question styles in order to ensure that you are obtaining a fair assessment of the knowledge of the content.
Lori
Yes, I agree, However students have told me their first preference is for True/False questions as they only have to choose from two possible answers, as opposed to maybe four possible answers in Multiple Choice. They don't seem to mind that they will, however, score either 100% or 0% for each answer.
Hi Nicole - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are using a comprehensive assessment strategy - well-done! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I usually choose to write my own tests vs. using standardized tests. I blend multiple choice, completions questions, and short answer to all of my tests. I use short answer for questions that were based around class discussion. Completion questions based around more factual information (such as anatomy) and higher multiple choice questions that innitiate a though process to complete (they must think through the question).
Hi Khristina- Thanks for your post to the forum. Your choices of assessments are quite appropriate. We need to keep in mind that we have to gear the assessment to what knowledge/competencies we are looking for. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Generally I categorize the information being taught by how deep the understanding that is required. If it's just general knowledge multiple choice is the simplest of choices. For more thorough understanding and interpretation then short answers and essays may be required. But it all depends on the topic at hand and what the end purpose of knowing it is.
Depends on the class itself; since I focus more on creative topics, I am partial to essay style formats, as there is technically no single "right" or "wrong" answer.
My course curriculum is pre-developed for me so I can only administer those tests which are multiple choice. I personally like essay questions for the final assessment along with a hands on practical that will give me an understanding of the total learning which the student gained while in my courses. I personally believe that a blend of all the test types can give the best overall result.
