Test Construction
(T/F) Svinicki & McKeachie suggest consistently administering tests of equal difficulty throughout the semester.
False!
The text recommends an easier first test (sometimes an ungraded one) to ease students into test taking. This keeps them motivated for later tests. Generally, the authors recommend decreasing test frequency throughout the semester while increasing test difficulty, less reliance on tests, and more encouragement to learn in-depth.
Ways to make administering a test easy (there were three suggestions)
(1) If your tests are being copied ask for 10 percent extra to prevent miscounting or misprints.
(2) Pass out the tests as students come into the room to reduce panic and time spent distributing.
(3) Minimize interruptions by writing announcements, instructions, or corrections on the board.
Describe how you can help your students cope with test anxiety.
(1) Offer assessments that would lower the stakes of any given test.
(2) Offer "second chances" to students who experienced difficulties during the test.
(3) Offer students the opportunity to explain their answers.
(4) Familiarize students with how you test and how you will grade the test.
(5) Offer ideas about studying and relaxation practices.
Benefits of administering early tests
What is...
(1) Identify problems while they still are remediable.
(2) Set the expectations of your style of learning.
Pros, cons, and opinions on group or team-based testing
Pros: Students learn a lot from one another and from having to explain their own answers, immediate feedback for students
Cons: Grading, disparities in student dominance
Opinions: Good!
A page saved for students to explain their thoughts and tell you why they answered the way they did. Svinicki & McKeachie recommend letting students explain no more than three questions to ease student anxiety and grading time.
Time needed for (1) a multiple-choice/fill-in-the-blank question, (2) short-answer, (3) limited essay question, and (4) a broad essay question
What is...
(1) One minute
(2) Two minutes
(3) Ten to fifteen minutes
(4) Half an hour to an hour
Pros, cons, and opinions on online testing
Pros: Customized/randomized tests for each student
Cons: Hard to maintain test integrity
Opinions: Super cool!
Ways to reduce student frustration and aggression
(1) Periodic non-graded assignments to help students assess their own progress.
(2) Allowing students to explain their choices on multiple-choice questions.
(3) Show students how the test will contribute to their long-term goals.
What are the benefits of essay questions? How would you construct these on an exam?
(1) Students study more efficiently for essay questions.
(2) Break down complex answers into their critical components.
Name the seven procedures for grading essay questions
(1) Establish a rubric or set of criteria
(2) Read exams without knowledge of the name of the writer
(3) Briefly read through some exams and establish different levels of excellence. Compare that to your criteria
(4) Write specific comments on the papers
(5) Develop a code for common comments
(6) Give points for understanding, not naming
(7) Do your grading in teams
Multiple choice: Answer all the questions you know, eliminate answers you don't know before guessing, double-check that you've selected the right answers, your first answer is usually the right answer (Mueller & Wasser, 1977).
Essay tests: Outline your answer before writing it, make notes to jot your memory if you cannot immediately remember an answer, write about related material if you cannot remember, write as well as you can (poor writing leads to poor grades)
In your opinion, what is the ideal type of exam question? (e.g., problems, short-answer, essay, true/false, multiple choice)
Good job! The ideal question depends on the subject you are teaching; adapt to what your class needs.
How will you prevent cheating in your classroom? How will you handle cheating?
Tips for prevention: (1) Reduce pressure, (2) Clearly address your cheating policy, (3) Make reasonable demands and an interesting test, (4) Develop group norms about supporting honesty, (5) Talk to students
Tips for handling: (1) Follow the college's procedures and (2) Talk to students!
For your classroom, how will you create an environment that values academic honesty?
Great job! Make it clear to students that you value academic honesty and that academic dishonesty will be punished.