Testing as a Learning Tool
I've been told that the current (popular I suppose) thinking about testing is that testing should be used as a learning tool in addition to being an evaluation tool.
What are your thoughts? Ms.Polick?
Thanks.
Any test that is given and returned to students without feedback is pretty much useless. It becomes a "learning" tool when the test results are discussed. What did they get wrong? Why is it wrong? Why is the correct answer the "right" answer? Involve the class. Which answer do they think is correct? Often these conversations with students open new avenues to the material. Students who may have thought they understood the concepts realize that they were off track. It also is a learning tool for faculty as it may highlight areas where instruction was not effective.
That is a very correct observation of testing as a learning tool. That's also the reason we use a variety of testing styles, sometimes on closely realated subjects, so that the student can evaluate their weaknesses better as well as the instructors effectiveness.
I agree that testing is a learning tool. But I think the tool should be used toward the instructor. Tests not only reflect how well the students are doing but how well did the instructor perform. If one class continually has lower that normal test scores then other classes. One should look at the course content or the information given by the instructor. As instructors we must always use each course as our evaluation to see where we can improve for the next course. Test results are a tool to measure our own success. Keith
I agree wholeheartedly. Our school has 7 locations, so once a month we all meet at a central location to discuss curriculum. We also all contribute to a central database where we keep our tests, simulations, and labs. All the staff members contribute to this database and we all draw from it. At these meetings we review all the material that was input into the database, so everyone has a clear understanding of what we need to do. We have a syllabus to work from for newer instructors and for instructors who need guideance. Supervisors sit in on classes as well as the education director. If classes fall below par, older staff members work with newer staff members to get and keep them up to speed. We also perform mini lectures in front of staff members so we can be critiqued.
Also it is the responsibility of the instructor to review all tests with the students when they are returned. We use online testing for the students which gives them an immediate grade, then after every student is finished, we do a complete review of the test
Good point Keith. If a test is administered over and over with students consistantly doing poorly in specific areas, the instruction should certainly be revised.
I totaly agree, the testing of students practical or written could be used as a tool to measure their level of knowledge acquired during class and most definetely must be used by the instructors to implement their teachings.
Written test can be a tool for learning if the students cam be made to truly understand the errors they made while taking the test. Just showing them the correct answers does nthing for them.
I have good results from reviewing tests with the students. this gives them insight to the question and answer as well addresses their approach to the question. Most students see that it was a single word omitted or in depth thinking caused them to mentally change the question which altered the outcome.
Susan, I agree that tests should be a source of feedback. If many students fail a test it is important to reevaluate the tool to see if it is confusing or over their heads. We as instructors must be willing to make the necessary changes to our tests if they are not doing what they need to be doing. They are a means of gauging success and the obtaining of knowledge.
