Student Assessment Preferences

¶ … score? 4. Discuss your reasons for disagreeing with the statement regarding tests over papers. Why do you prefer papers? I prefer papers because they allow me the opportunity to take the time to process the information that I have learned, consider other questions that arise as I process this new knowledge, and explore information beyond the classroom setting.

In some circumstances, I have found that writing papers has actually led me to discover that information that I received in a classroom setting was either incorrect or sufficiently incomplete as to give me the wrong information. What is better about writing papers than taking tests? Writing papers is better than taking tests because writing papers allows for a greater exploration of the subject. When students are tested, it is impossible for the instructor to cover all of the information covered in class in a test scenario.

As a result, the investigation of the student's knowledge is limited. A student could perform very poorly on the test, but actually have significant overall knowledge of the material. More importantly, a student could perform very well on a test, particularly a multiple choice test, and still have Why are tests not a good alternative? Tests introduce false constraints to knowledge that are simply inapplicable in the real world.

In a real world scenario, it would be irresponsible, and possibly even dangerous, to be forced to answer questions in limited time periods while developing expertise in a subject. However, tests, which are administered while students are gaining knowledge, replicate such a scenario. Papers are more similar to an actual work environment, in which a person would double-check knowledge up until the time of gaining expertise in an area before proceeding to act upon that knowledge.

What do you gain from writing papers that you would not get from taking tests? Perhaps the greatest benefit of writing papers is that it allows the student an individual opportunity for self-directed additional study. If a teacher is teaching the class appropriately and a student is even moderately curious, then the teacher is going to introduce topics, facts, and ideas that are intriguing, but not be able to go into sufficient detail to satisfy student curiosity on each of those topics.

Papers allow students to independently investigate some of those topics and focus on what they are most interested in learning. The variety of different approaches a student can take to a paper can help reveal that individual student's proclivities and curiosities. Therefore, papers allow for a more personalized education. Moreover, in the independent research that comes as part of the paper-writing process, the student may be prompted to investigate information outside of the range of the original assignment or course topic.

Are there any personal reasons why you prefer papers over multiple choice or true/false tests? I feel like standardization, in many areas, but specifically in testing, stifles creativity and individuality. While I feel this is applicable to all people who are assessed by means of a multiple-choice test, I find it most offensive to me, personally, because, when I am the one taking the test, it is my creativity and individuality that are being stifled.

What is your strongest argument in favor of papers? My strongest argument in favor of paper is that they do a better job of replicating real-life use of knowledge, and, therefore, prepare.