Paula,
True! You do have to have both types of assessment; a puzzle has multiple pieces before the true picture is revealed :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael ,
I think a good assessment should be a mix of different evaluation. You are so right about the information gathered from each type of assessment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have used both and I feel that they are both beneficial. The subjective evaluations provide me with the student's understanding of the content as well as their ability to convey it on paper. The objective ones also provide me with their knowledge of the subject but it can also be misleading because it is also easier for them to "choose" an answer if they really didn't know it. So did they really understand it after all?
Paula
Hello Dr. Wilkinson,
The assignments in my courses sometimes combine objective and subjective evaluations. For instance, the students may be asked to write a one and a half to two page paper that addresses several very specific questions on course content. One or two questions may ask them to evaluate a particular government policy.
Their answers to the first set of questions should give me an indication of how well they understand the course content. The answers to the second type of question gives me a sense of how well they can apply what they have learned.
Best wishes,
Michael Luzius
Carlos,
Yes! It is important; if you don't want students to say just yes or no; don't write questions that way!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
During discussion topics, I have used subjective evaluations by trying to engage the students to elaborate on topics posting open ended questions and avoiding questions that would provide Yes or No answers.
Tipton,
Good, do you create your rubrics or are they provided?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
We use a rubric for discussion thread(s) and a different rubric for written assignments.
Tipton,
So you use a variety of assessment tools? That tends to be the model.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
We have end of module objective tests consisting of multiple choice questions. In addition students are required to submit a paper on an assigned topic within the context of the lesson module.
Carolyn,
Me too! You are right. It is important to give students a variety of ways to explain knowledge!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have to mix it up because I get bored doing the same thing. I can only imagine how the student feels! T/F MC test allow the student to improve their searching skills while essay/short answer questions increase critical thinking.
Steven ,
It can, or it can make them evaluate or compare; it depends on what you want from the student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Subjective evaluation requires the student to explain, in their words, their understanding of the subject matter being taught.
robert,
Understood; but you really have a good system for providing the important information for both you and your students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janis,
What a great example of subjective evaluation! It really does provide a context with the learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Cynthia,
You make a great point regarding both types of evaluations. Both have their purposes in providing feedback to you about learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Peter,
True, but it does give you the framework for your grading.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Joan,
Nice, do you think both of these methods assess that you need to assess.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
William,
You give a very complete explanation of your assessment. You understand that it takes multiple assessments to gather good data.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
