I too give cumulative finals in Intro, actually in any of the psych courses I teach (this semester its Intro and Abnormal). I repeat a number of previous multiple choice questions, hoping as some others have mentioned, for a distributed practice effect. I generally give out a series of integrative essays prior to the exam and pick 2 or 3 for them to answer. My goal for them is that they start seeing and making connections across topics. The final is weignted more than two previous hourly tests so a good final can help. I also give lots of multiple choice quizzes over the course of the semester to promote concepts I really want them to learn. I usually drop 2-3 of these, something they know from the beginning.
Denise Dewhurst Montgomery College-Germantown [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Linda Walsh [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 9:30 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: cumulative finals I do not give cumulative finals in my Biopsych and Drugs courses, but do in Intro to Psych. But I do it in a way that seems to ease student anxieties - I take about 45 questions directly off our earlier exams - exams which have been returned to the students. I'm hoping the continued distributed practice will improve their long-term retention. It also means that the comprehensive portion of the final exam can give students a little extra hope of improving their grades at the end of the semester (since they have these exam questions & answers in hand and should be able to get all 45 correct). The final also includes new questions on the material covered during the last several weeks of the semester. Linda Walsh University of Northern Iowa [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
