Can't we have both?
So I got to thinking, and observing how classes are taught. Usually at the University level you have about 100 or so in the general classes, and then once you get into the core of your degree, the classes become smaller. This typically allows for better opportunities to interact with your peers who are going to be in the same subject area as yourself. One thing that I have noticed in the college, is that testing seems to have become more technologically advanced. Testing seems to take place on the computer than more so in the classroom. This is really irritating to myself, as I seem to test better when in the classroom than at home or the computer lab taking a test. The concentration is ten times better in the classroom than else where. Classroom testing allows for students who cross things off on the test, highlight the test, and write on the test a better chance of succeeding. Testing on the computer is always timed, and for most of the part the testing time is less than that of the class time. The downfall of computer testing is that you can't highlight the things you think are important. Sure some do better on the computer tests, but I'm pretty confident that most would prefer to have a choice on how they test. I know I would.
"The test is to recognize the mistake, admit it and correct it. To have tried something and failed is vastly better than to have tried to do nothing and succeeded." - Dale E. Turner
~*Ashley*~
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Written Tests are Better
I do better on written test than I do on computer tests. I always worry about the time on computer tests therefore I become extremely stressed. Hopefully teachers will started giving us the option of taking tests on-line or in the classroom.
testing
I completely agree with you. I personally do much better on hand written tests in the classroom. Although, I believe that technology is much needed for instruction in the classroom I also believe that test should be given in a variety of ways in order to allow students to take the one that suits their personal test taking abilities the best. We all learn in different ways and we all have different opinions on how we perform better in the classroom. Testing is already stressful and hard enough I think the least schools could do is give the students the opportunity to take test in the matter they prefer.
My take on testing
Ashley, I think I agree with you. I feel that online testing can lead students to much more stress, if not only for the time restraint, but also because on many online tests, you can't go back and change your answer once you have proceeded to the next page.
I know that I have never been a great test taker when it comes to things such as the SAT, etc. When I took that PRAXIS 1 it was online and I have to admit that I hated it. I did fine on the test, however I found myself much more concerned with the time restraint than what I was actually writing, or the work that I was doing.
I feel that written tests are much more comfortable for me because that is what I grew up with in school. Who's to say that if schools start using online-testing regularly then it won't become the prefered choice.
-S
Testing
I think both types of testing have their pros and cons. For me, I have always prefered to take tests on the computer for the simple fact that I can use my notes and books. It is obvious that students would make a better grade from that. One thing I can say is that every class that I've had online tests, I didn't learn a thing! I had this history class last semester and it was probably the hardest class I've ever taken. Besides the fact that I knew nothing about history, our midterm consisted of two essays, and ten short answer questions. Our study guide had about 200 things to study from. I was doomed to fail. But it actually made me realize how lazy I had become when it came to test taking. I studied everyday for the next two weeks and actually came out with a B. I'm proud to say I still know everything that was on that test, and I probably will forever!