Yes, it is key in surgical tech that students show us they can apply their knowledge. It is still possible to streamline grading in these courses but we must be careful to not negatively impact the learning process.
Yes, multiple choice is easier to grade. Essay questions are occasionally better at testing knowledge. As instructors, we must think carefully about what will make us more efficient and what will benefit our students the most.
I already utilize many of the formats presented in this module and it really does make a difference. I try to encourage others to use methods like these to save time on grading. Since I do use essay type questions, I will now have my students highlight the important points, which I look for anyway.
I do agree that multiple choice questions are much easier to grade, but short essay really shows what the students know or don't know. They both have their pros and cons, but with multiple choice, it is much easier to guess the right answer.
I will definitely check out the online test formatting websites suggested in this module. I really don't like to use testbanks because they are not worded the way I speak in class, and that confuses the students. Hopefully, these websites will help me streamline the process.
I have used many of the ideas presented in this course. However, I did like the idea of having the students highlighting material in essays that will allow for quicker grading.
I have used many of the ideas presented in this course. However, I did like the idea of having the students highlighting material in essays that will allow for quicker grading.
Yes, the highlighting method in essays is a fantastic time saver.
As a surgical tech instructor, not only do we have to test for classroom knowledge but also the lab practicums. We have to know if they can apply the book knowledge with their didiactical skills as well.
Highlighting the key points in my essays will help reduce my time in grading. It was a good suggestion.
Wow, it sounds like you have a fantastic system already in place Dana! These are wonderful tips for other instructors to learn from.
The exams I currently use consist mostly of multiple choice, matching or true false. I have lines out beside the questions for them to place the correct letter. This makes it easy for me to go straight down the side of the paper with the answer key to grade the exam/quiz. I also use short answer questions for some of my quizzes and tests. The short answers I use are truely short answer, one or two words to keep it easy for me to grade. I wish that we had access to a scantron that the instructors can use, this would simplify the grading even more and save time. If possible, that would be one change I would like to make. Most of my homework assignments are "what do you think" style. It gets the student to think about the subject intended but I don't have to read over every line written to understand where the student is coming from or to search for an absolute correct answer. With working at a career school for five years, I have learned how to stream line things to make it as easy as possible for me and to give me as much extra time as possible. I find that I use many of the tips included in this module. Another good grading website that can be used is engrade.com. I also like rubistar.com to make grading rubrics for projects and presentaions. Both are very easy to use.
I have found that sending email blasts of the status of grading and a response that will cover the emails that I receive saves time in responding to individual emails when I am trying to stay on task. We can consume grading and preparation time responding to individual emails.
Wanda
i will try to add more computer grading which is as accurate but much less time consuming.
I think I can speed up the grading process if I stay organized and on top of the assignment due dates. Students also make sure your grading them in a timely manner by asking over and over for their gradd assignments.
Yes, sometimes streamlining the grading process requires an initial time investment Randy. More often than not, the investment is well worth it. But it's important to think about your potential return before you invest.
I reformatted a lot of my exams and homework assignments to be performed on the computer. With the computerized exams and homework, now the assigments are graded automatically. It may take a while to create everything in a computerized format, but the time I spent creating the assignments versus me grading them was a huge time saver. Another nice thing, is when I teach the same course in the future the assignments are already in a computerized format.
This is true Doreen. Class size needs to be taken into consideration when streamlining the grading process.
Formatting exams and homework assignments to me are a function of the size of the class. The larger the class, the greater the need to streamline and use true/false and multiple choice exams. But if I have a small class, I feel it it to the student's learning advantage to have essay exams and homework assignments where we can develop the student's writing abilities as well as his or her knowledge of course content.
I would stage them in different time or day, homework and Exam would be the last to the clerical task. So I would have time to grades them without taking time away from my class time.
