How specific should a prof be when writing an exam question?
On one of the questions that I gave to the class,I was hoping that
students would give more some differences between X and Z (hypothetical),
but sudents seem satisfied to give me only one difference.
They justified their short answer by saying that the question did not
specify that I wanted multuple differences.
Ok!
Should I have stated that I wanted three differences?
Do you establish these type of guidelines (for example: all answers must
be at least 75 words.) and so on.
Shouldn't they know to know to elaborate when possible?
Or,ironicvally,are their parsimonious and simple answers due to the
scientific tradition?
Michael Sylvester,Ph.D
Dept of Human Factors and Systems
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach,Florida
