I agree with several other posters that group tests always irritated
me--seemed like I was the one supplying the answers for everyone else, not
the other way around. The reason I like the 3" x 5" inch card over group
work is the student must do the work his/herself.
Also, one has to do a good deal of study just to figure out what to put on
the card-often times by the time it is written on the card, the person has
learned it. 99% of what is written is the stuff the kid had trouble
memorizing. In real life, they probably won't remember it in 2 weeks,
even
if they were successful memorizing it for the test. What I want them to
know is that the knowledge exists and to go look it up if they need
it-just
like we do in real life. Putting it on the card shows they can do that.
In
addition, even if they record something quite complex, like the Kreb
(citric
acid) Cycle, what I will ask on a test is a higher level question that
will
require them to understand and interpret the cycle -not just memorize it.
Letting the student us the 3"x5" card a) eases tension on the exam, b)
increases study, c) helps students better structure their knowledge.
Probably not for everyone. I have found it very successful.
Steve
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