** E-assessment by design: using multiple-choice tests to good effect - Nicol ... - The Diigo Meta page

• 12 Nov 08
  

  Youenn Leborgne

  Notions:
  EVS, MCQs, self-regulation, peer
  
  A key message is that the power of MCQs (to enhance learning) is not increased merely by better test construction. Power is also achieved by manipulating the context within which these tests are used.
  
  List of limitations to MCQs: better for lower-order skills (?) limited feedback, recognition rather than construction of answer, no role for students setting the goals and standards
  
  The 7 principles of good feedback practice framework provide a clear lens through which to design and evaluate practice
  
  Applying the 7 principles in relation to MCQs:
  1. Clarifying goals, criteria and standards
  Having students construct the tests themselves
  2. Self-assessment and reflection
  Administering MCQ in an open-book situation (quality of the questions particularly important). CBM can be used to increase reflection
  3. Delivers high-quality feedback
  Enhacing MCQ feedback by relating it to other classroom activities
  4. Encourages dialogue around learning
  Having students work in small groups to construct tests or to comments on tests. Having students to discuss their answer as they're taking the test or to initiate a class discussion of answers to tests
  5. Feedback and motivation
  Repeating opportunities to take MCQ tests (highly motivating). Motivation further enhanced when this formative procedure is linked to later summative tests of a similar format
  6. Closing the gap
  Repeating MCQ tests until a satisfactory performance is reached
  6. Feedback shaping teaching
  MCQs might be presented before students come to a lecture and even linked to homework assignments. The teacher then use the results of tests to identify areas of learning difficulty and to decide where to focus teaching effort in class or in further online tasks (form of "just-in-time teaching")
  
  ** Highly interesting list of case studies discussed against those 7 principles **
  
  Increased power can be leveraged from MCQs when they are linked to a clear pedagogical goal and implemented in relation to a coherent set of principles

  e-learning assessment self peer collaboration OA_MSc feedback tool

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