You are here:Teaching casesTest adapted to the students’ taxonomic level before, during and after the course
Test adapted to the students’ taxonomic level before, during and after the course
Teacher's motivation
In connection with the colloquium course, there was a need to ensure that in their preparation before for the course, the students had acquired the necessary basic knowledge about the topic so that their time at the colloquium could be spent on activities at a higher taxonomic level.
A wish was expressed that following the course, the students were given an opportunity to reflect on and revise the material and self-test their understanding at a higher taxonomic level.
There was also a wish in class at the colloquium to work with questions in groups, to share knowledge from the group work among the students, and to give the teacher an idea of the students’ knowledge and understanding.
Description of the activity
The teacher prepared a pre-test in Blackboard (ATT: Now Brightspace), which the students were asked to take out-of-class before the colloquium. The questions were basic and at a lower taxonomic level.
Feedback for the students contained information on where answers might be found.
Moreover, the teacher made a post-test in Blackboard (ATT: now Brightspace) with complicated questions for reflection.
In-depth feedback was given, and specific feedback was linked to most response options, including wrong answers, with reference to further explanations.
Different questions, which were shared among the students in a Padlet in Blackboard (ATT: noew Brightspace), were discussed in groups in class.
It was easy for the teacher to detect any misunderstandings.
Worth considering
Tests can provide both teachers and students with an idea of the individual students’ knowledge and challenges.
Test questions can be designed to match different taxonomic levels so as to support the current part of the learning process.
Pre-tests are recommended as part of the preparation activities, whereas post-tests can be used to support reflection and repetition.
Test feedback can be designed specifically for individual response options, including references to further information.
