The Initial Steps in Developing a Classroom

Test: Deciding What to Test and How to Test it

Josie HighsmithChapter 7EDU 402

Objectives & Key Chapter Concepts

1. Describe “Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Objectives.” Explain and give examples of each category.

2. Discuss major considerations involved with assembling an assessment.

3. Discuss major considerations involved with preparing your students and administering an assessment.

4. Be able to apply strategies for reducing test anxiety.5. Be able to apply strategies for reducing the likelihood of cheating.

Vocabulary Words

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Knowledge

Comprehensio

n

Application

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

Test AnxietyDiscouraging

Cheatin

g

&

Web 2.0 Tool

-Slideshare-What is it and How can you

use it in the classroom?

Bloom’s Taxonomy

•A taxonomy of cognitive objectives •Provides a useful way of describing the complexity of an objective by classifying it into a category ranging from simple to COMPLEX •Teachers aim to teach the higher level categories

because they promote higher level thinking

Why is it Helpful?

“…it presents a framework that helps remind teachers to include items reflecting more complex educational objectives in their tests.”

There are six categories within Bloom’s

Taxonomy…

Can you name them? …

They are…•Knowledge•Comprehension•Application•Analysis•Synthesis•Evaluation

Knowledge• Simplest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy• Involves rote memory where the student is required to memorize key facts or terms and learn new ones

• Examples of Objectives Include:-naming state capitals-naming presidents by order served

Comprehension•Objectives in this level require understanding and not just memorization• Verbs are used for what students are expected to do such as summarize, interpret, or explain material

• Examples of objectives include:-explain how interest rates affect unemployment-Summarize the use of each symbol on a map

Application• These objectives involve rules, principles, or concepts to solve a problem that the student has not already encountered

• Examples of Objectives include:-Write directions for traveling by numbered road fromAny city to city-Apply addition and subtraction of double digits to Real world math problems

Analysis•Objectives involve the reduction of concepts into parts and showing the relationship of parts to the whole

•Examples of objectives include:-Describe maps in term of function and form-distinguish different approaches of establishing validity

Synthesis•This level involves the creation of new ideas or results from existing concepts

•Examples of Objectives Include:-Construct a map of a nonexistent country with givencharacteristics-Propose a plan to help stop pollution in the air

Evaluation•Highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy•Requires the student to make evaluative judgments regarding the quality or value of something for a stated purpose

•Examples of Objectives Include:-The student will evaluate the usefulness of a mapTo enable them to travel to a selected destination

What to Think About When Assembling An Assessment…

1. Follow your table of specifications2. Provide clear directions to your students3. State the question or task as clearly as possible4. Develop items or tasks that can be scored decisively5. Avoid using cues or hints to correct answers6. Arrange the items in a systematic manner7. Include items that will promote valid and reliable

results8. Think about how many items you should include

How to Prepare your students for an Assessment

• Encourage the students to perform their best• Follow strategies for reducing test anxiety• Hold a review or practice session for the students before

the test begins • Give the students examples of test questions • Make sure the testing environment is comfortable to all students• Administer the test fairly

Test Anxiety: What it is and How you can reduce it

• Test anxiety is a common type of anxiety among students and it can become helpful when studying for a test, however, it can hurt a student’s performance during a test if it reaches a certain level• How you can help:-Relaxation training (breathing techniques)-do not make the test a do-or-die situation-arrange the items from easy to difficult-provide multiple assessments over a grading period -avoid unnecessary discussion before letting them begin

Strategies for Preventing Cheating• Keep the assessment materials secure• Provide appropriate supervision during examinations• Have your students clear off their desks before distributing

the tests• Do not assign another student to hand out tests; you should

hand them out yourself and to each individual student• If permitted to have scratch paper, have them turn it in with the test• Create two forms of the test• Make sure spacing between students is appropriate

Find out how you can inspire your students to overcome test anxiety

and even overcome it yourself in the process…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFMjbs3hoiU

Take a look at how this group of fifth grade teachers has a unique way of

helping their students overcome test anxiety…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb16D43FCWQ

SourcesReynolds, c. r., Livingston, r. b., & Willson, v. (2009). Measurement and assessment in education. (2nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ.: Pearson.