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Ignatius Dambudzo Post 1

• 5 August 2020, 4:07 AM

Questions on assessment of student teachers

How can I assess my students using an examination without bringing them together for examination? This question is more important now than ever before because of COVID-19. The future is not predictable. Who knows, 2021 can be just as bad as 2020. There is need for preparation for the eventuality. How far can we trust teacher assessment as opposed to high stakes examinations. The latter are not guaranteed as  experiences of 2020 have should when some exams could not be help due to the need to maintain social distance to contain COVID-19. I think it is quite possible for students to write their  examinations from their home and submit electronically using technology. The exam will be timed as usual. The style of question or questioning technique needs to change from the tradition essay type to application and problem solving type. Such questions have no set answer from a book or any source. The student will be expected to come up with a solution using the knowledge of the content across various topics. One needs to justify the proposed action which involves critical thinking and problem solving and communication skills, some of the 21st Century skills we are encouraged to develop in our students. What are your views on this topic?

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Michele Deane Post 2 in reply to 1

• 9 August 2020, 2:36 PM

I like the problem you have posed us, Ignatius.

Can you clarify one thing, please? Who are the students fro whom you are thinking of setting an on-line examination? Student-teachers? I will no doubt come back with more questions...


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Ruth Walioli Post 3 in reply to 2

• 11 August 2020, 5:35 AM

I assess my student-teachers through open book exams using the moodle e learning platform. The exams require students to apply/create knowledge and not reproduce what was taught. I activate the turnitin so that no student can submit plagiarized work. Continous assessments (CATS)  are catered for through discussion forums and assignments done through the moodle during the semester.

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Michele Deane Post 4 in reply to 3

• 11 August 2020, 2:00 PM

Interesting, Ruth! I would really love a very small practical example, if possible, please!

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Bonface Nabwoba Post 5 in reply to 3

• 13 August 2020, 5:46 PM

Interesting and brilliant


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Kris Stutchbury Post 6 in reply to 1

• 17 August 2020, 2:22 PM

Ignatius,

The first question I would ask is: is an exam the best way to assess student teachers? Being able to recall knowledge does not guarantee that students will be good teachers. Many teacher preparation courses have abandoned traditional exams in favour of the sort of open-book exam suggested in this thread, or the submission of a portfolio of evidence of teaching, which might include lesson plans, subject knowledge tasks, reflections on teaching and/or an account of how the theory (eg theories of learning) manifest themselves in the classroom. 

Discussion tags: questions on assessment of student teachers