Being able to access knowledge in many different forms of presenting material will help the student is being able to recall info. I will present the material in several ways write it on the board, make the copy the info,present videos to assist learning,and hand out props to have the hold and see what Im talking about. Test grades have improved.
Ulises,
Yes, having students explain and question in their own words really enforces the learning and helps students retain what they learn. Excellent!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
michael,
Very true - creating an atmosphere of exploration is so important - and to have students find answers to their own questions and problems really enhances their learning. Great point!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I ask them to answer a question in their own words or to give an example of the concept.
Students earn a score in lab based on their performance of the project they are working on and how they understand what they have done in lab. They are required to explain their work and diagnosis. The written is a score based on correct answers.
At certian intervals during the class asking qestions about topics covered before and have students give answers and also operations of differant componets. and tests.
Robin,
Can students earn scores when they demonstrate successfully or only on the written tests?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Kenneth,
How do you do this specifically? Which technology do you use?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
In my classroom I assess the knowledge that the students have learned by hands on labs, asking questions both by me and their questions, the process that the use in finding the answers on the computer or their notes or the discussions between the groups. There is also a written test that each student takes.
We use a lot of hands on, along with visual demos to see if the information is being retained.
During lecture time and note taking I will give examples and see if the students can diagnose the problem. This only gives you a small look into the students that have an understanding of the subject. Some students just will not be very verbal in class. I watch for those students and when in lab I will give them examples and have them diagnose it then. Most of the time these same students that are not verbal in class will ask you questions one-on-one in the lab. A lot of these questions are just to verify that they know the information. When they asked this question of me I will ask them questions to verify their answer. I do this even if they are asking about a certain parts name and they have the right answer. I asked him to prove to me why they call that that part. The student that cannot I know at that time needs more help. This also helps students to reassure themselves that they have the correct answer and be more confident in their chosen profession.
Steven,
Great! Hands-on and applied assessment of learning coupled with peer tutoring and group learning - wonderful design!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
One of the areas that is important for the students to understand in the course I teach is how to interpret fuel trim numbers. After a presentation on what the numbers represent and completion of several labs where the students can make their own observations. I will head a class discussion using examples with multiple variations. The class discusses what is likely the cause and why and also various explanations of what does not fit.
As I listen to their feedback it quickly becomes obvious who understands the concept and who needs more work. I find the students who get it will typically be eager to help the students still struggling. Hearing from a different view point can help a struggling student master the subject.
Errol,
Yes, several have made this point which is really important - having students speak back and explain is a sure way of finding out what they know and what they don't.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
One way to determine what a student understands is to just talk to them, both in class and lab. Have them explain why they performed a particular proceedure in the manner it was performed. Was the proceedure performed as the OEM desired, if not what would the results be in the method the student used? This however doesn't necessarily mean better grades for the student, but it does let you know who needs additional help.
kenneth,
So true - no one can explain anything he/she does not understand. This is a simple yet effective way to check for understanding, which is vital for instructors to do.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
One way to determine what a student understands is to just talk to them, either in class or lab. Have them explain why they perform a particular procedure, or how something works. Unfortunately, this doesn't necessarily mean better grades for a student, but it does tell who needs additional help.
John,
Great! So this is a combination of study and application. This takes blended to a fuller level - good example.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
To asses tru knowledge, which is the application of information learned, I will place the students in a variety of changing scenarios that will force them to use the knowledge in different ways. Information recall can get a student by, if that information will fit into a certain order that fits. By changing the scenarios, it forces a student to apply the information, not just to recall it. I will also use cross linking excercises that force them to link different concepts together into ways that are truly knowledge based and not just recall.
In my class we get the oppertunity to go to lab and work on cars with problems simalir to problems you may find in the field. By going to lab and working on these vehicles they get to practice what we learned in class to better thier understanding of the subject.
