Chuck, do your students remain with you for an entire day? If they review the morning and take a test later that day then this suggests an all day classroom? Thanks for any clarification you can provide.
James Jackson
George, issuing any form of assessment without the value of it being used as a learning resource builds fear into students. Assessments that are used to reinforce a desired learning outcome and are ultimately reviewed so as to clearly convey objectives are much more sticky to the brain versus just an assessment where the only return is a grade.
James Jackson
Arleen, great distinction. The focus of any assessment is to measure how far from a goal you may be with your students and then allow you as an instructor to modify the lesson plans so you can navigate and get the classroom back on track. The more you share with your students the purpose of quizzes and exams the less threatened they will be in using those instruments.
James Jackson
Erica, well done. Better to guide them to why the information is important versus blunt force teaching techniques. The more the students feel the information will be useful and important to them the more they will learn. Keep up the great work.
James Jackson
I find that Identifying with the students that I am a poor test taker and giving them strategies that I use to be more successful on tests put them at ease.
I have many students who fear tests because they struggle with them. So many students do not follow simple test taking proceedures that can help them alot. I go over simple technics every class and I see most of the class ignoring these tips!
When I have a student or students who actually listen, I usually see a big improvement in their test scores. I also see a alot more motivation from those students since they are more comfortable with taking tests after having success!
I give study guide to student. I not give surprise quiz. student need feel happy do well in my class. motivation impurtant to students doing well.
My class is a two hour block. I am able to conduct a "practice" test the first half of class. The students are allowed to ask questions which helps ease the tension for the actual test.
Using a quiz as a threat definately is inappropriate. I give the student's a class syllabus the first day of class which has a calendar of the days they will be assessed. Many student's are working adults and must plan accordingly to study for these exams. Instructors who use quizzes as a control technique sets up the "working" adult for failure.
I don't always give practice tests, however in those classes that have several students with "test anxiety", I find them useful. I put far more questions on the practice test than I would a mid-term or a final, but I feel that this better prepares students for the “real†thing. It also seems to give a quiet confidence to those that struggle with test anxiety. I do not, however, wait until later in the class to give any major exams, as I have found that this seems to unsettle the rest of the class. I give them 15 minutes at the beginning of class to go over their notes one last time, then go ahead with the exam.
I do a couple of things to address these issues
one thing is before we even start a chapter we look at the chapter review questions so they have an idea of what to get out a section than complete the review at end of the section.
I like to have informal oral/written review the morning of a test where students have to answer questions that are in the general area of a quiz
this gives the students the rest of the day to mentally prepare for a test given later that day
I really never thought of the fact that I giving a quiz to the class when people don't show up was feeding peoples fear of Quizes. I will think about this the next time.
We have seen many students have test jitters in our program. This is especially true when taking the NBRC Self Assessment and Secure Exams prior to graduation. Relaxation techniques and preparation are key elements to success. We have not used testing as a threat... these are tools used to assess knowledge and critical thinking process. Our students are highly motivated and competitive.
Many of my students get very anxious before tests. I do all that I can by giving them specific page numbers to read along the way and then a thorough review before the actual exam. I even offer additional math tutoring sessions, not just before each test, but ongoing for the struggling students around campus including the ones in my classes. Helping to build their confidence rather than just try to stuff it all in the night before has proven to be much more successful. I also encourage them to apply their newly learned knowledge as often as possible as it will only reinforce their learning.
I think that the students grading their own work is very beneficial as well. That way they are able to not only see what they missed but also what the other options were. I have them mark the correct answer focus on the correct choice. I really think this helps especially when they don't do well (since they so often don't even want it back). I do double check them to make sure that nothing was missed just to be sure they are accurately all counted.
As a young instructor, I used to mention more than threaten, but none the less I guess... pop quizzes. If it was apparent that the group was not participating since they were unfamiliar with the reading material, I would have them grab a piece of paper and answer 5 questions on that subject. They were only worth a few points, but I guess I thought it might motivate them to read the chapters.
I now better understand, after my years of teaching, how stressed the students are as it is and have since stopped the pop quizzes. I just try to help them understand that if they need additional help I offer it throughout the course, at no extra charge and recommend they get their money's worth.
Eric, what learning actions to you connect with your quizzes? Do students just take a quiz and then receive a score or is time provided to discuss the questions and allow students to discuss their answers? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
I find breaking down tests into smaller quizzes help, and having the students relax before the exam is given.
Morgan, excellent suggestion and one that all should practice. The more we get our students involved in the process of how they learn the more they will take ownership and become more engaged. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
jason, when the classroom is fun it is also engaging and students will learn more and enjoy the learning process. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
David, great comment. The focus should remain on learning and instructors need to use assessment tools to enhance the learning process and not create more roadblocks to a student's ability to learn.
James Jackson
I have noticed while teaching that students usually get anxiety if they are not good at a certain test format. Such that convergent thinkers may prefer Multiple choice tests and divergent thinkers usually prefer essay tests. I often ask my studnets what format they prefer the test to be in. I gave them choices such as Multiple choice, essay, fill in, short answer, and matching. Then I use 2 or 3 out of the list. It gives them a sense of control over their learning and a better opporutnity to show their knowledge without the panic and anxiety.
That is a great technique, I also tried a simmialr technique with great results. Depending on your findings an instructor may also take the opportunity refine the class objective to focus on one particular dicipline.
