Because many students fear quizzes and exams because of previous difficulties in other acedemic settings I have found a good technique is to make the review format fun. Threatening a student or class with an assessment can damage students confidence in thier instructor as well as the morale of the class. Often I will divide a class into groups and review material in a game show format. This review method doesn't single out any particular student as the are working in groups.
Tests do cause fear in students and this should not be. using a quiz as dicipline is just rediculous. A quiz or test should be explained to students as something positive; a way of being able to guage how well they are grasping the information. Students should be reminded that they should want to know how they are doing and if tests fail them in the course that that is not always a bad thing. What I mean is why would a student come to learn and be passed in a class if they did not understand the information. That would be a waste of time and effort for the student.
this is some thing that i have done in the pass, and have just started to use agian.it seams to put the class to eass knowing that there is no grade but shows them what is ahead
Linda, allowing your students multiple times through the examination engine is a great way to build confidence and get students more familiar with the testing methodology. Many students fear the unknown and by providing a repetitive process you give them comfort and security that they can learn in your environment. Great job and thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
Craig, how often do students get exposure to instruments that are similar to how end of course exam is setup? A best practice would be for students to already be experienced with the testing format even though the questions may be different.
James Jackson
Most of my students fear test and especially dread our EMT written exams. However, I use written exams as a study tool by incorporating a three color system. The original time through the test demonstrates student knowledge of content. After grading the exams, students are allowed to compare and discuss their answers. This is documented in a second color and demonstrates their combined knowledge of the content. Any question they cannot collectively answer, students are allowed to use another resource which may be the text, the internet, or an instructor. This is documented using a third color signaling that additional help was needed for understanding. This three color method seems to calm my students test anxiety so that they do better the first time around.
I use a crossword puzzle for two of my classes.We also do a review at the end of everyday. That helps with the test at the end of the course.
I really like this. I teach at a culinary school, so class time can be boring. When I taught Sanitation (no kitchen time) I would tell students if they were tired or getting sleepy that they could get up, walk around, exercise, whatever they needed to wake the body up again. It works wonders.
Virginia, thanks for providing this information. Do you also perform any type of evaluation on why students missed specific questions? For example if more students missed question 5 than any other question what type of analysis goes into evaluating that specific question? Should the question be rewritten, removed or should the lesson plan be changed to better provide resources for students to learn the desired outcomes. Thanks again for any information you can provide.
James Jackson
David, can you describe your method of how you prepare students for the various assessments in your class? Thanks for any information you can provide.
James Jackson
The students are given frequent evaluations and are given results in a timely manner. We also review major exams and discuss why answers are the best/better answer and why other answers are not the best choice. Students feel free to comment and challenge questions.
Using tests or quizzes as a threat or disciplinary technique does not sound very smart to me, and I doubt that it would help the motivation level.
Students should know when a test is upcoming, they should have information at hand to prepare themselves. I have a group of students for only a short time and then they move on. I continually reinforce prior information and add new information to our discussions.
I am learning that giving a good overview of the course and esuring that students know what is coming, gives the best chance for success.
I also use games as studies, together with study guides and crossword puzzles before tests. we will review the material before the test using the above method, then i let them study for about 15 minutes and at test time i play mellow music if everyone is ok with that. i also tell the students not to have any negitive thoughts, because the brain will work toward that out come. always think positive. and always have fun in the class.
edward, interesting approach and I like how you take the time to review how your students reacted to the quiz and then make an educated decision to use the quiz in the grading. What actions do you use to discuss the responses and to have the students gain new knowledge from the quiz results?
James Jackson
I use the review all the time with test taking i find it slows the student down and makes them work through thier insucurity and gives them a sense of sucess. It better prepares them for the actual test and calms nerves and thus makes them more focused on the task at hand not takeing a test.Also it's my job to return the test as soon as i can so there is a third chance to review and to work on the students problem areas.
I like to give a pop quiz and gauge the students response. Then after the quiz I tell them this was just an exercise to get them to relax and it seems to help reduce test anxiety when the real test does take place
Luke, what techniques do you use to assist students in building up their skills in note taking, study skills, test preparation and test taking? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
I think some adult learners are insecure about their abilities to take notes, remember how to study, and interact in a test setting. I have begun having short discussion periods before tests and quizzes to review the material. This seems to help relieve the stress and give some of the more insecure students a chance to have guided review session.
I have never used a test as a threat, but I would relate it to using a learning and diagnostic tool as a weapon. It works against the intended application. If a class gets to the point of disciplinary action, the Instructor has let a problem persist to the point of unruliness. Utilizing active learning and motivation techniques all but alleviates this.
Marcos, how do your students feel about the process? Do not forget to consider their suggestions.
James Jackson
I like to have an open forum when lecturing and encourage students to ask questions if they are having trouble understanding the material .This helps other students that normally don’t ask questions, And when it comes to test time I like to start with a quick review, books put away the only things allowed on the tables are writing materials, I have students ask questions and write them down so we can review as a class and this gets everyone involved, this gives me a chance to go over material that perhaps a group of students are having trouble understanding.to me this is a good opportunity to encourage and motivate the students.
