Linda,
It is dependent on the course and the expectations. You don't want to force an assessment technique when it doesn't fit the expectations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Thomas,
You are so right. It depends on the content and what you are wanting your students to learn. Not everything should be at the top of Bloom's taxonomy!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Emory,
I don't think you have to use subjective evaluation. I think many times depending on the assessment, both could and should be used. It is also a matter of workload.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Subjective evaluations are great because it gets the students to think about their answers. But I use objective evaluations more. Each week after watching a couple videos, I have the class take a 10 questioned, multiple choice quiz to see how well they paid attention.
It really depends on the course, of course! When I teach philosophy, the subjective reigns because I want to see how they are integrating concepts and creating meaning in the process.
When I teach accounting, the objective is more in order. Even if a student shines eloquently about accounting theory ...who wants an accountant that cannot count and produce the Balance Sheet?
Of course, there is overlap between the two, but I do see how the focus of the course will impact the assessment style.
For me, it depends on the nature of the course. Most of the evaluative methods that I use are subjective. I teach composition and effective speaking courses, so my students have to put into practice what they learn.
I could probably issue an objective method of evaluation; however, just because they can answer the questions correctly doesn't mean they can put what they have learned (about public speaking and writing) into practice.
Therefore, in my thinking, when their skills rely heavily on performance, then I grade them on performance.
Matthew,
True, you can also see their vocabulary changing if learning really does take place.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Elie,
Good point. I agree with you. I find they have to articulate more with the subjective and it is harder to cheat using that type of question in the online environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Christin,
Nice! That is a great way to emphasize the importance of the videos. Good post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I used both types of assessments frequently. The online portion of our curriculum typically uses the objective type and are quizzes are written with multiple choice and true and false questions. In class I will often post open ended questions to the class. It's more of a group discussion, but I find it to be a great way to assess students' learning. I would like to use more subjective methods in the online portion. I think written essays are a great way to determine my effectiveness as a teacher.
I have used a mixture of both. I find that you can get more out of a student using the subjective evaluation. It requires them to think more and be aware of what they are writing about. In the objective evaluation I don't get that same reaction from students and the results I would like to see. They do get things correct, but question becomes do they really know the subject matter.
We have our students watch videos with a variety of different content. Before they watch each video, they download a PDF of a quiz. All of the quiz answers are contained in the video. After they watch the video, they take the quiz.
We do mostly multiple choice and true/false in our online quizzes, but also matching from time to time. Instead of using open ended questions or essays, we create forum topics where the students are required to discuss topics with other students. We find this works very well.
Ted,
You are doing the right thing! You should have multiple measures of an outcome to truly determine learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Marcia,
That is the exam I prefer to give. I typically give all essays in my online graduate courses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have used every evaluation method under the sun. I have used objective quizzes, essays,short answer, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and matching. Quizzes are fine to use but only as a part of the final grade.
The assessments that I develop are a combination of objective and subjective evaluations. Typically the assessments contain both multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.
Dr. Marcia L. Brown
Francis,
Love this point of view. I think you have a great point. Frequency of evaluations does lower anxiety. It is a delicate balance between the frequency of evaluation and workload of the instructor.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Most replies will lean towards a mix. I am less concerned withthe type as much as the frequency. For the many friends inteh threads who come from the culinary arts, I like the chef's motto for the kitchen: Clean as you go. Frequency of evaluation is more improtant than type. Use type to keep the receipe fresh and attractive...and if course, presentation counts. We as educators can get resuts by lowering th estress that comes with evaluation.
LE,
It does make a difference in class size. Workload of the instructor is a consideration.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kathleen,
You are right. Skills assessment, like your course, really needs to be measured by action or projects. You need to see them "doing"
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
