Different methods of testing.
It is important for the instructor to test in methods that do not overwhelm the instrutor with regards to testing. However is important for the instructor to understand that students excel at different test so sometimes you may have to look at the best interest of the instructors.
Mary ,
I think this is a great idea & is doable. As you have pointed out there are some challenges, but I think they can be worked through & this method could be implemented.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I teach a hands-on course and was considering, in testing, to ask the students to perform a task on their own (each student could be given a different task, similar complexity)and turn in the result. This would be just part of the overall test. But, there is the issue of time and fairness, if students are given different tasks to complete, unassisted.
Any thoughts?
Michael,
good question. Personally I lean towards a variety of assessments, but not necessarily testing. I would suggest that unit or module tests are of the same type, but I also use a variety of other assessments to get a full picture of a student's understanding. Hope that makes sense.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I'm curious; do we think that mixing testing styles (i.e., paper test followed by a computer-based test followed by, perhaps, an oral test) would be a good idea or a bad one? Would variety work here, or would consistency help alleviate test anxiety?
Deborah,
I think you hit on a key idea here; the idea of respect & trust. This is when we are treating our students as adults & they feel that & it can help with performance.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Students get excited when we can let them do something other than the norm when it comes to testing. They feel a real sense of being treated with respect.
James,
yes, and when we reflect on our teaching practice, we can better identify areas for improvement.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
This is true,new instructors will try to over compesate for their lack of experience,but as time goes on they will start to relax more in their teaching,and testing will become more of a pleasurable experience than a task.
Francine,
this is an excellent point. I have seen many new instructors swamp themselves with grading due to testing in ways that are not necessarily better for the subject matter & definitely not as efficient.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
