Re: [Phys-l] thermodynamics assessment

["Rauber, Joel" <Joel.Rauber@SDSTATE.EDU>]

One minor criticism of the quiz, of the "matters of taste" variety.  Knowing your personality and/or making some not too outrageous assumptions about the a possible author of the quiz based on several of the more "obvious" questions; a person might make the guess that all the answers are "N" and score a 100%.

The "utility" of the quiz might be enhanced by rewording the questions for a mix of Y and N answers.  Of course, I realize the quiz I partly tongue in cheek and therefore the all N answer quiz is itself making a point that would probably be obscured by my suggestion.

_________________________

Joel Rauber, Ph.D 
Professor and Head of Physics
Department of Physics
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
Joel.Rauber@sdstate.edu 
605.688.5428 (w)
605.688.5878 (fax) 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of John Denker
> Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 9:00 PM
> To: Forum for Physics Educators
> Subject: [Phys-l] thermodynamics assessment
>
> Hi --
>
> Here is a short, simple quiz:
>   http://www.av8n.com/physics/thermo-quiz.htm
>
> It consists of a few true/false questions, covering
> things that students might learn in a standard thermo
> course.
>
> You will quickly discover that this does not have much
> direct value as a classroom quiz ... but you may find
> it amusing and/or indirectly useful.
>
> This should not be too closely linked to my previous
> "amusing" math quiz;  this one is amusing in a different
> way.  It is also much easier to grade.
>
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