David using games is always a good idea with students. It helps to break the ice.
I always have hands-on exercises in class for important concepts if I can. Sometimes in our case, setting up the environment (multiple servers, applications, etc.) is too intensive to be supported. We also have group exercises in most classes. But, in many cases the amount of material to cover means we need to do a lot of learning by reading and lecture. And, many of my students don't have the time outside of class to do the exercises and reading.
Daniel, what you describe sounds like a curriculum and course design issue. Long term memory and subject mastery require deep engagement and students practicing what they learn and applying what they learn to various situations. Repetition and constant building upon previous concepts is critical. What techniques do you use to fully engage your students?
James Jackson
A quiz should make the students fell good about what they are learning.
I have been asked at times to start each class with a quiz, mostly as a way to penalize tardy people. I don't do it, as I don't think that is a good way to start the day, especially a 4 or 5 hour class. I start with an agenda for the day, and then usually with a review of the last class.
When I do practice tests it is very helpful to the students in their grades, but I wonder how well it works at getting as much as possible of the course content into the long-term memory. My students biggest complaint is that even 10 or 15 weeks later they have forgotten much of what the learned in a class.
Interesting. I have never once considered using tests or quizzes as a method of applying discipline in the manner you wrote. Tests are simply that....a method used to establish if students have absorbed an adequate amount of the material during the class. In addressing the fear factor, during lecture, there will be an extra emphasis placed on the key points and/or the more important knowledge involved. I don't teach the test, however I feel that it would be a disservice to the students to drop tests on them cold, without a review of some type. That way, there is more of a focus on the test material itself, rather than the ability of a student to take a test. Additionally, I'll de-emphasize the perceived pressure (fear factor) using positive reinforcement of their knowledge prior to the test session, using techniques to instill confidence in the students regarding their individual understanding of the material beforehand.
John, games are great tools to assist in getting students engaged and prepared for assessments. What other techniques including other games have you used with success?
James Jackson
Dale, excellent comment. Follow through is a critical factor with respect to positive feedback from the results of a quiz. Students need to know that assessments are used as learning tools and not just methods to filter out the least qualified students.
James Jackson
the jeopardy game has worked for me over the years it gets they fired up for the test
Tests should never be utiled as a dicipline control device. Students will naturally feal fear or apprehension whenever a test is administered as we all have a fear of failure or doing poorly.
Properly conducted quizes that are scheduled should be a tool to measure success of mastering the material. Proper instruction/dissemination of the information to the students should yield good results for those students that really care.
Failure is the greatest cause of impotence in student growth and morale breakdown. I express to my students that we are not all test takers. Quizes are a means for me to review what the students did not understand so I can clarify the correct responses with reasons.
Randall, there are many that share your belief that conventional testing instruments are not the best method of measuring acquired knowledge through the delivery of a planned curriculum. What techniques can you share that you have used to measure learning outcomes within your courses? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Robin, thanks for sharing. For some instructors they have never directly experienced fear of testing and also have difficulties understanding students that have similar fears. By sharing your own experiences with students they can make more tangible connections to managing and understanding their own fears.
James Jackson
Donald, the technique you mention is a good process to follow. Be careful with ranking the different methods however. Knowing your students will assist with knowing which methods will work best with each student. Rarely does one size fit all with respect to teaching methodology and resulting learning outcomes.
James Jackson
TEST.... Some students are already scared.
As for using tests as a type of discipline, this in my opnion would sink my trust I have build over the year with my students. They might feel "this is so unfair" this would backfire more then discipline.
I want my students to feel if they study they will do great.
I like that the students know whats up in my class from grading,assignments, and the type of test I give and how it will be graded.
The threat of an unexpected test or a test to punish is the wrong message about what a quiz is for.
Tests /quizes are to evaluate if they are learning the skills we have gone over in class.
It is also a tool for myself to see if I've done a good job teaching the material.
I believe that quizzes are a great tool to help students stay focused and provide references for major exams.It also provides students with a self measuring tool to chart their progress in retaining subject matter...Paul T. Rougemont
Tests are not a punishment
ED112
Facilitator: James Jackson
By Randall Aungst
12/10/2012
Proposed Issue:
Discuss the fear factor associated with quizzes/tests and the inappropriateness of using the threat of a quiz as a discipline control technique.
First of all I am compelled to state that I do not believe in tests as a measure of knowledge. With the exception of specific areas of study such as mathematics, science and medicine the ability to regurgitate knowledge is highly over rated. I am more inclined to guide my students to think for themselves and have original ideas supported by theory. As such it is my belief that an assignment based approach rather than a testing based approach to learning assessments is more appropriate for most fields not significantly based in one of the aforementioned topic areas.
Having said that let me address the two areas of interest in the proposed issue. There are two primary issues of significance that need to be addressed; the concept of tests and the concept of threats. Tests are by definition a measure of raw knowledge. As such they are a tool of assessment to be approached somewhat indifferently and not maliciously. To approach the concept of tests and quizzes from a malicious consequence oriented perspective is counterproductive at best and power drunk authoritarian at worst. The psychological implications of the effect on students of such an irresponsible approach can be very damaging to the student’s ability to succeed. The second issue is threats. In life and business threats have never proven to be a noteworthy deterrent to poor behavior or performance. While it may appear to work in the short run it usually will result in a long term counterproductive outcome. Proof of this can be found in the laws from state to state. In some states it is legal to shoot an intruder to your home while in others it is not. If the theory of threats preventing bad behavior or poor performance were to hold true then home invasions should be nonexistent in states where the gun laws allow such extreme action; yet this is not the case. While this is an extreme example it does illustrate the point nicely.
Just food for thought.
Randall Aungst, MBA
Bruce, another technique is to make sure you use the testing results as a training tool. If students know they will be able to learn from their mistakes then they see the testing process as a more positive experience. If they get a question correct on a final exam that they missed on a quiz due to proper review and learning from their mistakes then they gain more confidence in the overall testing process.
James Jackson
Michele, another factor is some individuals are just not good at taking tests. I am one of those individuals. You may also want to consider offering some type of optional training session for those students that just need to learn good strategies for test taking. This can also help to reduce the level of stress.
James Jackson
I know this is a real issue because I dealt with the fear factor of tests all through school. I tell all my students the tests / assessments are to let them know how much of the content they have retained. Tests are not a factor of life or death, merely where they are strong and/or weak in class material. It helps ease their minds.
