pre-assessment
I'm MUST INTERESTED IN WHAT CONCORED USES AS A PRE-ASSESSEMNT FOR ADMITTANCE.
Often times as an instructor I use the pre-test in GE-100 this gives me a baseline as to where the students knowledge level is, before starting the chapter.
A baseline can help lead the instructor in preparing the student's to keep their interest. Adult learners will "turn-you-out" if information is repeated just for the sake of filling class time
Steve,
You make a good point about the value of pretesting students. This is why I use a pretest with all of my students. The baseline I get gives me a departure as well as planning point for customizing my instructional content and delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Pre-testing is a smart way of meeting new students. You will be able to identify the different levels of intellect they have and you will exactly know who needs more closer attention
as you go on with the course.
I normally have a simplified handouts taken from the chapters assigned in the lesson plan for them and I purposely did this to satisfy the needs of these type of students.
Romeo,
I use pretesting in my courses because they give me a baseline on the students that are enrolled. Then I can start my instructional planning and selection process in a more targeted way. Increases my student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always pre test my students in fashion sketching it helps me to understand how detail my first day instructions have to be.
it also gives my students a way to see how much they have improved, by comparing the work at the end of the term with the pre test.
Martha,
You list some very good reasons for pretesting. I use pretesting in my classes for basically the same reasons. I want to get a feel (baseline) on my students so I can then customize my instructional delivery to meet the current group of students in an effective efficient way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes, total agreement here. Very seldom is a course so unique that pretesting is not a helpful tool.
Don,
This is how I approach my courses as well. Pretesting gives me a baseline from which I can plan my instructional strategy.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Any recommendations for how to have the test be "anonymous" yet still allow students to see their tests from the beginning at the end?
Yes, I agree. I will be putting a pretest together for my class. I am always taking for granted that they know some of the things I am talking about. Like what feed is on a brake lathe.
Collin,
What I do is to give them the pretest and have them complete it. Since it is rather short I then run through the answers and have them grade them. I also spend a little time explaining the reason for the answers to give them a taste of what we are going to cover in the course. Once that is done I have them hand in the tests so I can review them to establish my baseline on the class. With the procedure I have reduced the stress of taking a test and their having their names on them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Charles,
I think you are going to like the results you get from your pretesting. I have been doing it for years and it gives me a real feel for what my current class is like and knows in a general way about our field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Preassessments are not only a great way to see where your students are at but also it helps identify the areas that you may need to focus more on.
Michael,
Yes, they are. They give a baseline that helps with instructional planning and delivery so the students are getting more targeted content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I often will give a pre-test when I get new students in my class, and I am teaching Medical Termonlogy. This allows for me to see where they are in the learning process and where I can begin teaching. It does no good to teach a student med terms and they have no idea how the words are even put together.
Johan,
I use pretesting in all of my classes for the reasons you list. I like having a baseline on my students so I can select the instructional content and strategies that zero in on their specific learning needs. Helps the course get off to a much better start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The pre-assessment provides the information I need to modify my standard teaching plan to include all levels without alienating the extremes.
Prior to the nursing student being enrolled into course, they take a TEAs test. Then, once in class - I base their knowledge off of their first exam. Then I can find their mistakes during that exam and strengthen them on their knowledge needed as well as test taking strategies.
In most cases, pre-testing is completed in the form of a written assessment. In my field, i find it helpful to have practice practicals where students will complete a cooking skill. The skills will be applied to practical exams further down the road.
Lauren,
I think this is a great way to do a pretest. This way it is easy to see what is known and what is not known. In addition, you will be able to see their skill sets quite easily and then can plan your instructional content from these observations.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
