At this time, I do not have classes that require me to give exams. However, I have to grade essay style assignments that have minimum requirements on the deliverable length. What I have found that helps the student, and myself, I recommend for them to use key points of the question within their answer, by doing this it helps the student stay on track with the question, and I am not trying figure out if they understand the question. In the future if I teach a course that has exams and I have the option of how that information is given, I would use multiple choices, true or false, and last perhaps an essay style question for finals.
Jennifer
Pertaining to the course I presently teach, my exams are prewritten by the manufacturer and so I have little choice other than to implement them as they are presented.They are multiple choice and are therefore easy to grade.
I would however based on the information in this module adjust any Tests or quiz's that I would create to facilitate ease of grading while getting a maximum snapshot of the student's learning. I like the essay stlye format with short answers which show the basic concepts of the learned lesson.
Our current test are all multiple choice and are grade with an overlay type keysheet which is rather fast. Homework assignments are also keysheeted. At the moment testing and grading is very effective.
I think this approach is a good one. It provides a good view into whether the student understands specific information enough that he/she can 'teach' it to others, and it allows others to provide feedback and ask questions thereby also being engaged in the learning process.
Sometimes the best way for a student to show he/she has mastered material is to 'teach' the material. Assigning each student a different aspect of the material to show/present/teach is a good way of assessing if the student understands and can explain the specific aspect, and it also teaches and helps other classmates 'review' the material from a different presenter, ask questions and provide feedback.
Yes, grading as we go is a great way to keep on top of things. It also helps us stay closely connected to how well our students are reaching their learning objectives.
You bring up a good point Joe and it's one that many instructors think about. To provide best in class education to our students, we must balance testing rigor with grading efficiency. Too much time spent grading can limit how much interaction time we have with our students. That being said, when we are too efficient in our grading, we may not give students the most thorough evaluations.
I have a slight issue with the presentation of this module. The method of evaluation should be based on teh learning objectives rather than saving time. It is very difficult ot evaluate upper levels of Bloom's Taxonomy using multiple choice tests. True education vice training requires demonstration of higher levels of understanding. I would rather spend the extra time fairly evaluating a students grasp of the learning objective than saving time by administering an dumbed down test in the interest of saving time. Many of the techniques reviewed here will indeed assist most people, so lease don't misunderstand. I think a different example maight be useful so as not to lead instructors doen the road of simple and easy testing rather than true evaluation of skill levels.
Being adult teaching the best way I find to stream line grading, is to grade as we progress though the daily task
It is imposable to read every answer on every asignment that the students do. I pick 2 or 3 of the more dificult questions to look at and give them a grade based on thos answers. If they give a poor answer for those questions I will look at more questions to see just wyat effort the student made in completing that asignment.
I had just recently streamlined my exams for easier grading (using an answer key that has all multiple choice answers) but I might extend that to some of the homework I pass out as well
I like the idea of underlining the important words in essay answers. Having students grade each other's quizzes is good because not only does it get done but you promote discussions that way.
Yes, bolding, circling and underlining the main points in an essay is a great way for students to help expedite the grading process. This serves everyone well as students are often eager to see their grades quickly.
I use online testing whenever possible but I teach for several schools that require essays. I spend a lot of time grading. I'm going to see what I can do about streamling these by having students bold certain key words in the essays.
Sounds like you are very much on the right track Thomas.
Different college subjects require different types of assessments. Instructing finance and economics, both qualitative and quantitative comprehensive is important in measuring student's understanding and comprehension of the course material.
At some universities, the curriculum is developed and at others, the faculty is develops their own course curriculum. Understanding the parameters of each methodology is important when streamlining the assessment process.
Grading rubrics have been an invaluable tool in sharing with students the expectations and the requirements of the assignment task.
This provides an organized and structured method for measuring the level of the mastery under each task criterion.
Each university has a different way of managing student content, management, and student communication. Gaining a mastery of each system and how to leverage the resources available to enhance the student's ability to obtain feedback and support is critical to maximizing instructor time.
This module provided some great ideas for maximizing instructor's time!
Best!
Nicholas
I am lucky that most of the test i give are multiply choose . our classes are standard formats . but I did book mark the resources for later.
Sorry to hear William. What was it about the section on organizing that was helpful?
this course had very relitivity with the course i teach other than the section on organizing it had little to offer me
Things for the exams are good, we do not do much for home work, but some of the things I point out for students to do to help them be faster at their work they tend to procrastinate and it shows in the lab.
