On Wed, 28 Mar 2001 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I prefer to offer a test that is approximately half MC and half essay. I feel
> strongly that a college education should include training in written
> expression including planning and executing essays and term papers on broad
> themes introduced in the course. I grade everything by hand.
Writing term papers is one thing, but the argument that writing
essay questions on exams improves writing skills doesn't hold up.
To quote the ineffable Anne (Anastasi) again:
"The advantages traditionally cited in favor of essay questions
are that they test the individual's ability to select, relate,
and organize material, as well as his or her ability to express
ideas clearly and accurately. Unfortunately, the time available
to the test taker in answering essay questions is usually too
short to measure these particular skills. It is possible, in
fact, that essay examinations may be partly responsible for the
habits of unclear and careless writing developed by many
students. Apart from lack of time for effective organization and
good writing, the student answering essay questions writes for
an instructor who knowns more about the subject than the student
does. Confident in the expectation that even obscure answers will
be understood and duly credited, the student rarely takes the
trouble to communicate clearly."
I should also add that marking essay questions is the worst form
of academic torture in existence (even worse than attending
Senate meetings), a cruel and unusual punishment. And if people
are going to re-quote this quote or the one in my previous
message, could you please ensure that Dr. Anastasi's name is
attached? Not that I wouldn't have been proud to have written
them, but I didn't.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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