Re: Test Writing

[Rick Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

Some suggestions:

If you are only testing conceptual knowledge--no problem solving--then get
away from tests and go to weekly quizzes.  Before giving the quiz, allow
questions--answer them even if they ask something on the quiz.  If they miss
questions that cover important content/concepts, then ask them again the
following week (change the question somewhat, but keep asking until they get
it).  Go over the quiz answers immediately after the quiz--quickly.

Weekly quizzes keep students current--no cramming.
Your questions can be focused on the last week of material.
Allowing a question time before the quiz is the _one_ time that you will
have the interest of most students.
The subject matter on the quizzes forms the basis set for the final--if it
was important enough for the quiz it is probably important enough for the
final.

My Gen-Ed course has no tests, but 12 quizzes (best 10 count).  We also have
a paper or project, lab books, one or two homework assignments (usually
mini-projects), and the final.  Since the 2nd semester course focuses on
energy, I have a major project that both interests the students and gets
them involved in researching technical topics.  Last year's project can be
viewed at: http://www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/ENERGY_PROJECT/ENERGY2100.htm

Rick

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Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
rtarara@saintmarys.edu

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Tina Fanetti" <FanettT@QUEST.WITCC.CC.IA.US>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2002 2:29 PM
Subject: Test Writing


> Hi all.
>
> I am about to give up.  I have a class of students that are in vocational
programs, mostly electronics.
> I do not seem to be able to write a multiple choice test they can pass.  I
get the test questions from their textbook's test bank or from a different
test bank of a similar level.  (In this case Hewitt's Conceptual Physics)
> I cover all the stuff that is on the test in lecture.
>
> Granted it is not word for word and they may have to think.
>
> I can't get them to do better.  I have no idea what to do next.  They
still have one more test before the final.
> I don't seem to be able to make the test easy enough.
>
> Help!
>
> Thanks
> Tina
>
> Tina Fanetti
> Physics Instructor
> Western Iowa Technical Community College
> 4647 Stone Ave
> Sioux City IA 51102
> 712-274-8733 ext 1429