Testing
When we just use short answer type test are we really finding out how must the student has learned?
If I choose to use multiple choice, there will be some students that will guess the answer and learn nothing about the material.
Using short answer questions will allow instructor/student discussion during review. "No answers", on short answer questions allows us to understand why that answer was selected and allows for the clearing up certain misunderstandings.
I like to use multiple choice and matching. It narrows down what a student is retaining. I usually give bonus questions, this allows them to think out of the box.
If your students will be taking a national examination to become registered in their field of study, it is good to use the same type of examination question structure. In my profession, the examination question structure is multiple, multiple.
I use short answer questions to check on the students progress, and also to find areas where I need to spend more time teaching the subject matter. I review all test questions after the test to make sure all students have the right answer or no why they missed a question. Reviewing all questions enables the student who guessed at an answer correctly know why he or she should have answered that way.
we also use short test multi choice. It defines the knowlage aquired and allows for extended lab time for hands on skills improvement.
I've found that short answer tests work well occasionally. When I'm trying to test student recall as opposed to recognition, sometimes I can grade short answer faster than essay exams.
This is an important point Marien. The goal of streamlining the grading process is so that we can have more time to spend enriching the teaching process. If our techniques take away from things like student retention, we really must rethink their purpose.
I do not like to use short answer tests. I feel if you are requiring a student to write an answer it should be an essay question. Short answer tests are easily converted into multiple choice and the student does not feel you are trying to trick them.
Hal
In this module we have seen easy ways for the instructors or let say, lest time consuming to correct exams, quizzes and more. However, this is helping our students retation? I teach Math and it take me a long time to correct material, yes but I ask them to show work and circle there final answer. If I choose to use multiple choice, there will be some students that will guess the answer and learn nothing about the material.
Short answer will at least evaluate what a student knows as they really can not guess. Some students guess well on MC because they are good test takers.
I've found that short answer questions are good in most cases but it seems like it depends on the subject and the questions. Sometimes it works best to have a variety of formats in a test depending on the questions.
I have better test results when issuing short test. I think the students learn better.
In the courses I have taught I find the students level of learning is more apparent when ackronyms for certain components are intwined througout the question. I found that most times if the student knows and ackronym they no a answer related to it.
Great question Stillman! It depends. In classes that teach critical thinking, reasoning and writing, short answer is not always appropriate. Essay style questions work much better in assessing learning.
