Are you working on or planning to revise the tests in your classes soon? Rather than just refreshing or updating the questions, Derek Jorgenson, Instructional Designer at EvCC, encourages you to take a step back and think about exams in the larger context of assessments. Listen to a two-part podcast about Revisiting Online Quizzes at the Center for Transformative Teaching blog. Handouts and other resources are also available.
Showing posts with label test taking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label test taking. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Monday, April 23, 2018
Exams – are they really learning opportunities?
submitted by Peg Balachowski, Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning at EvCC
“Some faculty members lament that exams can be missed opportunities to cultivate learning because worries about grades consume students' attention. What if there were a better way?”
In a recent post in the Teaching and Learning newsletter (courtesy of The Chronicle for Higher Education) the authors described a two-stage exam:
“Here’s how it works: Students take an exam individually... After they submit their answers, they split into groups of three to five students and go over the test together to hash out the answers.” Hmmm… you might be wondering if students who know this is the exam protocol would neglect to prepare for the exam. I wondered that too. The faculty who used this technique decided to test whether students had really learned anything from the group session and gave a surprise quiz just a few days later on the same material. Note that this was an INDIVIDUAL quiz. To their delight, “students who tested collaboratively learned the correct answers to more than one-third of the questions they had initially answered incorrectly on the tests they had taken individually. And, when students were tested three days later, the knowledge largely stuck.”
Is that enough of a boost in learning to convince you to try this technique? Let us know if you do and how your students did!
By the way, you can sign up to receive the Teaching and Learning Newsletter from the Chronicle by going to this site.
In a recent post in the Teaching and Learning newsletter (courtesy of The Chronicle for Higher Education) the authors described a two-stage exam:
“Here’s how it works: Students take an exam individually... After they submit their answers, they split into groups of three to five students and go over the test together to hash out the answers.” Hmmm… you might be wondering if students who know this is the exam protocol would neglect to prepare for the exam. I wondered that too. The faculty who used this technique decided to test whether students had really learned anything from the group session and gave a surprise quiz just a few days later on the same material. Note that this was an INDIVIDUAL quiz. To their delight, “students who tested collaboratively learned the correct answers to more than one-third of the questions they had initially answered incorrectly on the tests they had taken individually. And, when students were tested three days later, the knowledge largely stuck.”
Is that enough of a boost in learning to convince you to try this technique? Let us know if you do and how your students did!
By the way, you can sign up to receive the Teaching and Learning Newsletter from the Chronicle by going to this site.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Test Tips Tuesday - #2
submitted by Peg Balachowski, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at EvCC
Last week in our blog post, we summarized five tips to pass along to students as they prepare for a test. This is so timely because of finals week! Students are experiencing a lot of stress because of the importance and weight of finals. The more we can do to help them prepare and relax (in addition to doing a good review of material), the more successful they’ll be. Speaking of reviews, let’s look at the first five recommendations:
• Analyze how you did on a similar test in the past.
• Arrive early for tests.
• Be comfortable but alert.
• Stay relaxed and confident.
• Read directions carefully!
This week we add five more. I especially like #2 – if you remember from my post last week, I started to relax a bit on my first graduate level exam when I was able to scan for easier questions to answer, and when I could answer the first few “easy” questions I started to gain confidence and was able to complete the exam. I would also add a note to #4. As a student I remember looking at a question, writing an answer, but sometimes wondering if I actually understood the question. I would make a mark in the margin indicating that I needed to go back and review that work when I completed the rest of the exam. Sometimes I needed to make a change, sometimes I found that I could add some more work to clarify, and sometimes I was satisfied with the answer I wrote originally. Double checking √√ never hurts, and can provide a sense of accomplishment!
1. If there is time, quickly look through the test for an overview.
Scan for keywords. If permitted, jot any notes that come to mind.
2. Answer questions in a strategic order:
Easy questions first to build confidence. Then, those with the highest point value. On objective tests, eliminate obvious incorrect answers. On essay tests, broadly outline your answer and sequence of points.
3. Review if you have time.
Resist the urge to leave when you complete the exam--check if you have answered all the questions, and not made any errors or miss-marked any answers.
4. Change answers to questions if you erred, or misread the question!
You may also find information in the test that will correct a previous answer.
5. Decide on and adopt study strategies that work best for you.
Review where you succeed and where you are challenged. Check out your academic support center or a trusted teacher for advice
• Analyze how you did on a similar test in the past.
• Arrive early for tests.
• Be comfortable but alert.
• Stay relaxed and confident.
• Read directions carefully!
This week we add five more. I especially like #2 – if you remember from my post last week, I started to relax a bit on my first graduate level exam when I was able to scan for easier questions to answer, and when I could answer the first few “easy” questions I started to gain confidence and was able to complete the exam. I would also add a note to #4. As a student I remember looking at a question, writing an answer, but sometimes wondering if I actually understood the question. I would make a mark in the margin indicating that I needed to go back and review that work when I completed the rest of the exam. Sometimes I needed to make a change, sometimes I found that I could add some more work to clarify, and sometimes I was satisfied with the answer I wrote originally. Double checking √√ never hurts, and can provide a sense of accomplishment!
1. If there is time, quickly look through the test for an overview.
Scan for keywords. If permitted, jot any notes that come to mind.
2. Answer questions in a strategic order:
Easy questions first to build confidence. Then, those with the highest point value. On objective tests, eliminate obvious incorrect answers. On essay tests, broadly outline your answer and sequence of points.
3. Review if you have time.
Resist the urge to leave when you complete the exam--check if you have answered all the questions, and not made any errors or miss-marked any answers.
4. Change answers to questions if you erred, or misread the question!
You may also find information in the test that will correct a previous answer.
5. Decide on and adopt study strategies that work best for you.
Review where you succeed and where you are challenged. Check out your academic support center or a trusted teacher for advice
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Test Tips Tuesday - #1
Test Tips Tuesday - #1
submitted by Peg Balachowski, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at EvCC
Over the next few weeks, we will share some ideas for helping students get better at taking exams. From my personal experience (as both a student and instructor) I know that students often feel a great deal of pressure when it comes to exams. In fact, I like to share this story with students:
In my first graduate level class, my instructor decided that he would schedule an evening exam so that he could have all of the students in his courses that term in the same room at the same time. He thought this was a great idea! So I made sure I had the date, time and room number on my calendar. I got there a little early because it was a different room from my regular class. Of course I was so nervous that I couldn’t find the correct room!!! That means I wasn’t there as early as I wanted, so the classroom was already filling up with other students. And I didn’t recognize anyone, so that added to my stress level. Here’s the worst part – when the instructor handed me my exam it looked like Greek to me. Seriously, my nerves had gotten the best of me and I didn’t recognize anything! So I had to talk myself off the cliff, and took a few deep breaths to try to relax. Fortunately that worked. When I opened my eyes and looked at the test again, things started to look familiar. Reading through the test I found a problem I could do easily, and that helped me to recognize that I could get through the test.
Our student have similar experiences, so as you think about what you’ll do to help them prepare for final exams or tests next quarter, suggest these tips from Study Guides and Strategies. The better prepared and more relaxed students are when they walk in on exam day, the more successful they will be!
1. Analyze how you did on a similar test in the past.
Review your previous tests and sample tests provided by your teacher. Each test you take prepares you for the next one!
2. Arrive early for tests.
List what you need beforehand to avoid panic. Good preparation prepares you for the task at hand.
3. Be comfortable but alert.
Choose a comfortable location with space enough that you need. Don't slouch; maintain good posture.
4. Stay relaxed and confident.
Keep a good attitude and remind yourself that you are going to do your best. If you find yourself panicking, take a few deep breaths. Don't talk to other students right before: stress can be contagious.
5. Read directions carefully!
and avoid careless errors.
Next time we’ll take a look at five more strategies to share with students.
submitted by Peg Balachowski, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at EvCC
Over the next few weeks, we will share some ideas for helping students get better at taking exams. From my personal experience (as both a student and instructor) I know that students often feel a great deal of pressure when it comes to exams. In fact, I like to share this story with students:
In my first graduate level class, my instructor decided that he would schedule an evening exam so that he could have all of the students in his courses that term in the same room at the same time. He thought this was a great idea! So I made sure I had the date, time and room number on my calendar. I got there a little early because it was a different room from my regular class. Of course I was so nervous that I couldn’t find the correct room!!! That means I wasn’t there as early as I wanted, so the classroom was already filling up with other students. And I didn’t recognize anyone, so that added to my stress level. Here’s the worst part – when the instructor handed me my exam it looked like Greek to me. Seriously, my nerves had gotten the best of me and I didn’t recognize anything! So I had to talk myself off the cliff, and took a few deep breaths to try to relax. Fortunately that worked. When I opened my eyes and looked at the test again, things started to look familiar. Reading through the test I found a problem I could do easily, and that helped me to recognize that I could get through the test.
Our student have similar experiences, so as you think about what you’ll do to help them prepare for final exams or tests next quarter, suggest these tips from Study Guides and Strategies. The better prepared and more relaxed students are when they walk in on exam day, the more successful they will be!
1. Analyze how you did on a similar test in the past.
Review your previous tests and sample tests provided by your teacher. Each test you take prepares you for the next one!
2. Arrive early for tests.
List what you need beforehand to avoid panic. Good preparation prepares you for the task at hand.
3. Be comfortable but alert.
Choose a comfortable location with space enough that you need. Don't slouch; maintain good posture.
4. Stay relaxed and confident.
Keep a good attitude and remind yourself that you are going to do your best. If you find yourself panicking, take a few deep breaths. Don't talk to other students right before: stress can be contagious.
5. Read directions carefully!
and avoid careless errors.
Next time we’ll take a look at five more strategies to share with students.
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