Getting a new outlook
I find that midway through the course if I give the class a knowledge review or quiz and they can actually see just how far they have come from when they first started the class....then as I go over the quiz and we see how well they did I will ask the class just how many feel they could have passed this quiz before taking the class...and then they see everyone in class are all in the same boat and that they are all learning together....this really proves to them that they truely are getting the information and making progress.
I like to give hints along the way of what maybe on a test or quiz & the students grasp these items a little better because they know it is important for them to know these things since they will be tested on these items later.
Cory I give a knowledge test at the beginning of the course. For a number of reasons, 1. the exposes them to the type of questions they will see at UTI, 2. Reality check of why we are here, If we knew this material why spend the time and money to learn something I already know. The students find out this is not as easy as they think. 3. They find out what they are going to learn in this class.
This can be an effective tool in several ways. if you give them a pretest and then a midterm test they can see their progress to that point in the class. For the ones who do well on the mid, it can be a good reinforcement. Those that don't do well can be coached to improve understanding of the information, and can be focused better on upcoming material.
I give them a REAL EASY test EARLY in the class that serves to build
confidence and self esteem. The test is valid in that it covers the
material, but it's presented in such a way that it's real EASY.
That could turn into a double edged sword. For some students it will surprise them how much they have learned/retained. For others it may be a wake up call that so many other students "get it" but they do not. Others will use it as ammunition that "I have not learned a thing from this instructor."
When I worked for a different division we gave the students a pre & post test. It worked the same, the average pre score was in the 30% range. The average post score was in the 90's
Mr. Mathis has a good idea, some of our students need that "boost" to their confidence so they will continue to achieve and feel good about the experience, and the fact that they are not alone if they are struggling.
