On Wed, 28 Mar 2001 17:46:18 -0600 Chuck Huff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> At 5:35 PM -0500 3/28/01, Stephen Black wrote:
> >"Multiple-choice tests have largely replaced essay questions
> >in standardized testing programmes, not only because of time
> >restriction but also--and more important--because they provide
> >broader subject-matter coverage, yield more reliable and valid
> >scores, and are fairer to individuals"
>
> I agree w/ Stephen and others on this issue. MC questions are a fine
> testing instrument. I use take-home essays (in addition to MC) to
> lead my students to do a different kind of thinking than they would
> for a MC only test. They receive my grading rubric for the essay
> question ahead of time, so they know what I am looking for in the
> answer. No surprises. But the questions (see example below) get
> them to think about things in ways that MC tests alone would not.
>
> So I treat the test itself as a learning event for the student. What
> experience do I want the student to have? One experience is that of
> mastering the jargon and conceptual matrix of an area. Another is
> thinking through a difficult and meaty question. A mix of methods
> gets at both of these.
>
> -Chuck
>
> PS Sample take home essay: What are Skinner and Freud's position on
> Free Will vs. Determinism? Does Huff agree with them? Do you? Why?
Chuck: I'm interested in exactly what you would provide in terms of a
"scoring matrix." Can you post the matrix for the example you provided?
--SLS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ _----_ Sherry L. Serdikoff, Ph.D. +
+ * * School of Psychology +
+ * O O * James Madison University +
+ * * MSC 7401 {)__(} +
+ *(. .)* Harrisonburg, VA 22807 (oo) +
+ \ / E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -o0o-=\/=-o0o- +
+ \/ Telephone: 540-568-7089 +
+ FAX Number: 540-568-3322 +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
