Test-Taking Activities for High School Students
Assessment of students' knowledge, skill and understanding has taken on a new look in recent years. Students are no longer just sitting before a ticking clock with paper-and-pencil exams, but are demonstrating knowledge through a plethora of methods addressing not only authentic applications of knowledge, but also the many learning profiles of students.
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Collaborative and Independent Projects
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Project-based assessments typically focus on a real-world, essential question. Students must research and collect data, analyze the information and apply it in an informed way, either through a group presentation, individual portfolio or computer applications.
Individual projects focus on the complete picture of a student's learning. Each student is responsible for all aspects of the project---from the design, research and representation of his new knowledge and skill.
Collaborative projects are a way for a student to demonstrate her understanding of a new concept or skill in an authentic, real-world way with peers. Collaboration helps to develop teamwork and group problem-solving skills. It also allows students to work within the areas where they are most comfortable. As an example, visual learners can create the visual aspects of the assessment project and auditory learners can do the speaking during the presentation of the group effort.
Skill Demonstration
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Hands-on skill demonstration is particularly useful for some subject areas such as math and science. Students are provided rubrics and checklists of the particular skills on which they are being assessed. The instructor walks about the classroom observing and evaluating a student's performance. You can design geometry assessments using word problems and provide manipulatives to demonstrate skill and understanding. Chemistry lab experiments and corresponding lab reports provide an assessment of newly learned concepts.
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Computer and Technology Use in Testing
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Concept areas and technology skills can be combined in a summative assessment of knowledge. Wiki page creations and PowerPoint demonstrations can be utilized as an assessment activity. The classroom Smartboard can be used by students for presenting their demonstrations for the entire class. This type of assessment works well with English, history and social science courses, but can also be used for the creation of 3D math problems and as a visual for science applications.
Paper-and-Pencil Tests
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Paper-and-pencil tests do not have to be the "true or false" or multiple-choice standard exam. Crossword puzzles are an interesting way for students to demonstrate knowledge in subject areas. Word searches for key essential vocabulary words related to subject matter can be innovative. You can also design test questions that require research, or an experiment to come to a conclusion and provide the correct answer. Pencil-and-paper exams can also be collaborative in nature, designed to promote teamwork and partnered problem solving.
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References
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