The way assessment options were presented during Tuesday nights class was interesting for a few reasons. First, I had always been under the impression that giving multiple choice tests doesn’t teach the child the information but how to take a test. But what I heard Tuesday night was that multiple choice was a good method to test knowledge of a topic. I do realize these tests can be created either with low or high quality questions and answers.
Short answer questions can gauge if a child knows the material well enough to talk about it. Isn’t that the goal of teaching? I am looking at teaching upper elementary school, so I would expect students to be able to write down their answers and be able to defend them (This is the answer because….).
I guess what I am concluding is that there needs to be a balance among testing methods. I realize short answer is not practical sometimes but I also think some teachers rely heavily on multiple choice tests in order to teach students how to complete an SOL.
Chandley,
Your comment, “I guess what I am concluding is that there needs to be a balance among testing methods” is like winning BINGO to me! You are right! There will always be a place for traditional type assessments. For over 20 years K-12 education has only relied on these though which has led to a narrowing of curriculum and a generation of students who cannot apply their knowledge. If a kindergarten student can answer factual questions about the First Thanksgiving then why not ask them, “Would you have rather have been a pilgrim or a Native American and why?” This would give them a chance to apply their knowledge in a way most meaningful to them.