Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Final :(
So I know everyone else is as worried about this upcoming final as I am. I was not aware, first of all, that it would be in class. That scares me more than the comprehensive part, because I am used to being able to use resources available to me, and I am used to the format and environment of taking the test online. I wanted to see, Dr. White, if we could possibly come to a compromise. Could we possibly still take it online if we don't complain that it is comprehensive? I don't know about everyone else, but when taking a test in class, I tend to get overly stressed and forget a lot...or not be able to find the words, no matter how much I study. Please consider this?
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10 comments:
I am open to a class discussion about this. I am willing to compromise. I only want ONE thing. I want students to LEARN THE CONTENT. If the class can talk HONESTLY with me about the method that will lead to them BEST LEARNING THE MATERIAL that is most important in the text and class - I am willing to do the final in whatever method that works best for students.
I hate grades. I hate exams. I am all about STUDENT LEARNING. But, I will be honest with you all. I am discouraged at the amount of student learning that was demonstrated in class at what are the building blocks for this class.
It is not about what you can COPY AND PASTE out of the text book and put into a test. It is about what you UNDERSTAND and CAN USE in a classroom to help children LEARN.
You all tell me. How can you demonstrate to me what you have LEARNED - not what you can copy and paste from a text book.
I will be happy to compromise and even allow you to assist in designing the Final Exam. The only requirement is that it authentically allows students to demonstrate what they have learned and are able to do as a result of being in this class this semester.
OK. So how about instead of asking a question like what is semantics, what methods teach it, etc., you ask questions that require application of the concepts. Like what we did in the class activity Monday? Would that better demonstrate that we actually understand it? I understand that we need to know those things to use them in the classroom, but I feel it is more important, like you said, to understand the concepts generally, not be able to spill out a definition of the term.
I have tried to post two comments. I will try again later. They are not going through.
Yes, definitely! Application of concepts. I'd love to know your opinion - if you went through tests 1-3 how many of the questions do you think are "real world" questions that are related to what a teacher actually must do?
I would love to have more questions about real world experiences. I hope are final will be online, because I do so much better when I am less stressed.
Anita Spence
I feel that I really got a better grasps of the concepts from class last monday night due using them in context. I would like to do more of this in class. I would love to be able to take the final online because it keeps me from getting really stressed out because I know that I can take my time, I can be in a quiet setting at home, and I can have a week to pick the best time. I am not to upset about it being comprehensive but I would really like to be able to take it online.
On the other exams I really didn't know what was expected of me, I thought I could copy from the book. I just took our test 3, and tried to elaborate on my answer and draw information from the book, but not to relie souly on it. I feel that I have learned more on this exam, but think that having the final online would be more helpful. I feel that too much content is needed to not be able to use notes/book.
I personally would prefer to have this final online, but not for the other reasons that have been mentioned.
My book is a different edition, and I know that's my fault, but on past exams, I'm able to use the internet as a resource. However, if the exam was in class, that resource wouldn't be available.
I know that my not having the right book is no one's fault but my own, but I've made do on the other exams by using the various amounts of information in my book, my notes, and online resources.
I tried to use the book and other resources when I took my first three tests, but I find myself using knowldge that I learned in class and only using the book and these resources to further emphacize my point. I did pretty well on the first two tests so I feel that I personally have learned a lot in Prof. White's class. I think when I'm put on the spot in the classroom that I get worried that I'm going to be wrong. My mind gets al jumbled up and I forget my point when I start talking (this may or may not have to do with being dyslexic) I have always been the kind of person who is better at expressing myself through writing than I am at speaking. I like the format of the past three tests because it allows us to apply the information in our own words and connect these ideas with what we have learned. I believe that mulitple choice/short answer tests although much easier are kind of pointless and show the ability to strictly memorize answers for a short period of time. This kind of assessment shows what we know what we are talking about and not just how much stuff we can memorize temporarily. it is a lot of info though, but I think we will all do fine. happy thanksgiving everyone!
Erica Jones
I have been worried!!! I am glad we can choose how we want to test!!! I have never been a GREAT test taker and I tend to get REALLY STRESSED OUT over the whole thing!!! I am sure we will all do GREAT!!!
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