What is it? Final exams in STEM subjects are often completely written. However, such assessments do not always align with learning outcomes that involve higher-order skills such as experimental design. An oral exam gives students a chance to demonstrate their mastery of the material and a simulation of professional practice. What are the benefits? When […]
What is it? The course presentation, or syllabus, is meant to encapsulate the information that a student needs to be successful in a course: what topics will be covered, how their learning will be assessed, how to get help… But students don’t always take the time to read the syllabus. Kenyon Wilson of the University […]
What is it? Concept inventories can be used as a pre-test, to assess prior student knowledge, and as a post-test, to measure learning in a course. They are typically research-based, multiple-choice assessments which have been developed in fields such as physics and astronomy, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. What are the benefits? When used as pre-tests, […]
What is it? Instructors whose subjects include long, multi-step calculations often hear students ask: “How did you know to do that?” While they’re usually able to solve the individual steps, the twists and turns of the journey often elude them, especially when they need to draw on concepts from different parts of the course to […]