Pre-Tests before starting a chapter is very helpful. The student is hearing new info in a relaxed setting.
A student lead review at the beginning of the class gives the student a chance to self assess.
Student Self Assessments will help the instructor teach how the student learns. The self assessment will also show were the student is education wise. Also the assessment can help the instructor learn a little something about the student and in long the run will help the student and instructor interact better.
I have given pretests and post test and in most cases are convinced that they are an aid to the student.
The class practices A&P diagrams for upcoming quizzes at the start of each class and at the end. The student can compare the 1st quiz to the 2nd and know exactly what to work on for an upcoming diagram quiz. Also a chance to answer questions or clarify a structure(s).
Hi Deborah - Thanks for your post to the forum. Pre-tests also serve as a starting point that when paired with post tests allows students to see how much they have learned. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
At the end of each class I ask students to think and write down something learned from the class. At the beginning of each subsequent class students are asked to discuss a topic that they learned.
By letting the students themselves evaulate you and your teaching skills, you become a better instructor and also guarantee that the curriculum is being sent out in an understandable and clear way. Students are the answer to an instructor's question of "Am i doing this the right way and in a way that they can understand?"
I think it makes it easier for students to see just how much they are actually learning. This is a self-esteem booster when they realize just how smart they are!
In contrast, I believe self-assessments gives students an opportunity to reflect on how much they know about a particular topic. At the end of the course, they can compare what they have learned.
Hi Lisa- thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that it is very enlightening for students to compare their "before and after" knowledge! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Steven - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that we learn a lot from student evaluations of our teaching. Unfortunately we always have a tough time getting students to do the surveys!! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
In our Dental Laboratory, our students will practice a competency with a student partner. They do a self-assesment and the classmate does a peer-assesment. The feedback from students is positive. They are able see their strengths and weaknesses.
I believe that self assessments can aid the student in really seeing what they are comprehending and it can also tell you where they need more attention at.
It will help the student to recognize where they are academically strong and what areas they need to either focus more on or to ask for further assistance or even tutoring to better understand the content.
I think self-assessements by students allow them to do some critical thinking about what they are learning. It allows them to think about what they are in class to learn and to assess if they are learning their class objectives.
One of the things that I ask students to do weekly is to take a self Assessment.
1. Take out a piece of paper.
2. Write down all of the things you learned this week that you plan to apply to your daily job responsibilities or life duties.
3. Why did you select the learning objectives that you did?
4. Do you feel that the objectives if applied correctly will enhance your learning in the future in addition to immediately?
5. Do you feel that you learned adequately this week in the course and are personally satisfied with your individual learning?
This assessment helps the instructor gauge student learning. It supports the student with reflective thoughts that gauges their personal learning.
It's a win win exercise.
Hi Natasha - thanks for your post to the forum. Wow- that is an excellent example of an effective CAT! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I sometimes go to a student one on one and discuss our class time, activities,how they feel about what they have and/or haven't learned. My goal is to see if they feel they are where i believe they are, and how I might can try a few other ways to help further their understanding.
Self-assessments are great tools for both students and teachers to gage goals and acheivements.
Hi Kendall- Thanks for your post to the forum. Self-assessments allow students to see their progress for themselves. It avoids the "He gave me a "D" " scenario. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
