---- Original Message ---- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [tips] Re: Learning evaluation Date: Fri, 05 May 2006 07:29:57 +0000
>I used to sneer at open book exams, but my daughter (also a teacher) >read an article in an education journal that students retain more if >they're given a well-constructed open book exam. I tried it last >semester - gave one regular MC and essay exam, and the rest were >take-home open book exams. The students were embarrassingly grateful >for the change, but also, did indeed appear to have absorbed more of >the information, based on their contributions in class. >Now I'm teaching three online courses in addition to a regular class, >and one of the students is complaining that an hour isn't enough time >to answer 20 questions online, open book. I have no sympathy there. >I guess everything is relative though. >Beth Benoit Beth: I took over a course for a retired colleague of mine this semester and he advised me to give open book exams.He reasoned that this forces students to read the book and to pay attention to the required details.I also discovered that some students who were thinking of not buying a book actually went and bought the text. I did run into the problem of time,so I added some take-home exams. Students had positive things to say about that.They felt that they were learning instead of just memorizing for the dreaded exam. I do believe though in given a comprehensive MC exam for the final. My rationale of giving them take home for the weekend is to keep em busy. Michael J.Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
