Researchers have claimed that testing can help students a lot in learning if it is created in a correct format. By the correct format, means clear timing, purpose, and content included. Many teachers are flooring the new ways to take tests which are mostly multiple-choice questions and short answer response type questions, though the traditional method of testing is not that disadvantageous, these standardized tests don’t let teachers attain their goal of educating students deeply. Many researchers have further advised that tests should be more oriented towards learning about students’ abilities, skills, and areas of interest. Teachers need to work more on memorization than persuading the students to master in grades.
Why taking tests are important?
In cognitive science, testing holds a slot that has outcomes like effective learning, study motivator, performance reviewer. If the testing structure is well designed and done right then students get able to recall facts, absorb them well, make them more focused as the deadline is provided to them by that time they need to learn and be prepared for the exam.
What are the various types of tests taken by teachers?
Been there done that. The time we used to think about how to cope well with the marks and maintain a quality level in class with the marks and merit list. Yes, we are talking about the most commonly taken tests that are being used from the decade already called standardized tests, looking at the group-administered achievements. These achievements are basically, looked upon by the teachers and later compared with the other student’s level, they further analyze the magnitude f effort a child or students needs and what skills are needed further to be polished or taught. Parents can ask the teacher and know about these skills, strengths, and deficiencies in parent-teacher conferences.
How these tests are created? What inspires to create tests?
Well, creating these tests need a major collaboration closely between the curriculum staff and measurement experts from various prime universities, school districts, and numerous test publishers. These tests are created on the basis of assessing the vital skills and knowledge of the students. After creating these tests, they are conducted by thousands of students all over the world, as a sample student population. This sample population will later help the test users to compare their own results with the sample slots. Eventually, helping them to know where they lagging behind, their strengths and abilities.
Do tests really help students?
Not all tests are good not all tests are bad. A type of test depends upon the need, students, and the purpose behind the test. No doubt testing is a part of the learning process whether that’s a parent, teacher, or student himself. Test are the indicators that indicate the areas where students are excelling and where the student needs more attention and work. A test reveals a lot about students their weaknesses and finally, parents get top know vis the reports of the test. To make the test more helpful, the school should have a clear idea of what type of test should be taken. For this, professional counselors, children psychologists, and many specialists can suggest what type of test is suitable according to the need.
How test can help students?
Cons of the standardized vases tests:
Standardized tests shrink the learning agenda and make robots out of the students who simply study to compete and maintain the standards. Teachers on the other case, get bounded to educate limited KNOWLEDGE in order to make the students pass the exams. These exams are bad for students because it ultimately leads to the evolution of discriminatory ideas whether based on race, sex, or class. These tests focus mainly on test-giving skills and less on the knowledge aspect.
These tests from all the above points clearly show that they cant predict future success. Students just for the sake of testing standards begin to cheat, cram, and get confused when the questions and choices are almost similar.
Look for alternatives to the standardized test:
Many great alternatives are out these which can be used instead of the standardized test in order to track the progress of students and make education more valuable and productive.
- Collecting the data from a sample that could represent a whole population of students rather than taking individual tests.
- Teachers can provide students with different projects list from which students can decide which project they can work well and bring their best side in. it like creating a portfolio of their own and representing among the class causing in addition of good communication skills, representing ability, enhancement in creativity and awareness of their own interests.
- Many schools and school districts have now adopted the game-based assessments, which are actually the tests designed by experts to check their thinking abilities, iq level, and dealing with adversities.
- Taking surveys can be a great alternative to standardized tests. This will lessen the stress over the students about the outcome. Simultaneously researchers, schools, and experts will check the emotional skills, various data, and academic grades via various assessments.
Are Mental ability tests and IQ tests fruitful?
Mental ability tests can reveal a lot about students. Students are not good at expressing what is bothering them in studying and learning. Sometimes students also are clueless, teachers and parents don’t get the idea of their intelligence by basic tests. Taking a mental ability/ intelligence test in collaboration with the standardized test hints at the problems emotional, mental or even physical that ac child might be going through.
However, IQ tests of modern times particularly, have shown an advantage in analyzing the suitable situation, meausren]ments and learning methods for the students who struggle in learning and retaining knowledge.
Setting proper testing format is important:
Although multiple-choice tests are useful and can be a great way of taking tests, recent research=hes showed that MCQs create a lot of confusion and stress among children. The reason behind it is the lack of inclusion of clear choices rather teachers make it more baffling for the children. The research also indicated that there is hardly a difference between MCQs and response questions (short-answer questions) as these both can help in guessing the thought process of the students and their learning. Further, it is advised that teachers should motivate their students as much as they can and encourage them to think deeply without forcing them to solve it on the given time limit. Putting in front a time limit, will simply make students more anxious and stressed about ending the test instead of thinking properly.
Final note:
It is really vital for the teachers to give feedback to the students after the result is out and how they performed in the test. Teachers should inform the students about the level of difficulty they might be facing in the tests so that students are prepared mentally and work consciously for the test. Teachers need to motivate the students about the well-doing in the tests. Research has further pointed out that teachers who instruct students well, see more students’ engagement, mental growth, and students, surprisingly get more confident and excited about the tests.
I started writing on this Blog to share with you guys the tips, Facts and Research which I did in Education Field.
& Unlike Some Students, I loved Learning Since a very young age and the best part which excites me are the new Findings in this Field and Increasing more Knowledge.
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