What to Test

Tests. Teachers give them and students hate taking them. Teachers give tests to assess if students learned the material, and also to aid in learning. Most teachers do not focus on using a test as an aid in learning.

A recent study from the Netherlands has found that teachers often give tests for the wrong reasons or the reasons behind the test are not clear. In a class on assessment the professor taught us that we should list on the test the purpose of the test, and I have tried to do that ever since. A student should know what is expected of them.

The teacher should know what they want to get out of the test. Often all a teacher gets out of a test is a grade. This is often because of a variety of factor all draining the teacher’s stamina and time.

The study found that by not examining the tests for data on the student’s teachers were not able to best support the student’s learning. Tests should be used as part of the learning process. They can serve multiple purposes, but they should not serve all those purposes in one test. The study stated that tests should be specific in their goals.

Application
This could be applied by teachers taking the time to look at the tests they give. Instead of teachers creating material in a bubble they should be collaborating. Each teacher should not have to create every test. They should work on the tests they give collectively. This would help teachers create more effective tests because they would be able to put more time into individual questions. Also the study suggests using portfolios to assess students. The portfolio would be a way to direct the student’s learning and keep up with their progress.