Selected response and short answer methods consist of those in which students select the correct or best response from a list provided. Formats include multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, and fill-in questions. (Although short answer and fill-in-the-blank do require students to generate an answer, they call for a very brief answer that is counted right or wrong, so we include these options in the selected response category.) For all selected response assessments, students’ scores are figured as the number or proportion of questions answered correctly.
Assessing Knowledge Learning TargetsThere is usually no argument about this match. Selected response options do a good job at assessing mastery of discrete elements of knowledge, such as important history facts, spelling words, foreign language vocabulary, and parts of plants. These assessments are efficient in that we can administer large numbers of questions per unit of testing time and so can cover a lot of material relatively quickly. Thus, it is easy to obtain a good sample of student knowledge so that we may infer level of overall knowledge acquisition from the sample on the test.
Assessing Reasoning Learning TargetsA common misunderstanding is that selected response questions can’t assess reasoning proficiency. Although not a good choice for some patterns of reasoning, other patterns of reasoning can be assessed in selected response format. For example:
• Which of the following statements best describes how dogs in real life are different from the dog in the story? (Comparative reasoning) • What generalization can you make from this selection about how these plants lure their prey? (Inference—generalizing) • Which answer best explains the author’s purpose in writing this story? (Inference-- determining author’s purpose) • Choose the sentence that best tells what the story is about. (Inference—identifying main idea) There are limits to this format when assessing reasoning. If you want to assess how well students can choose from their store of reasoning proficiencies to solve a problem, solve a problem requiring several steps, explain their choice or reasoning process, or defend an opinion, you must use another assessment method. For example, you might ask students to solve the following problem in mathematics: “Estimate the number of hours of TV advertising the typical U.S. fifth grader watches in a year. Describe your procedure for determining your answer.” This is an extended response question. If the learning target you want to assess is student reasoning, a single number as the right answer is not the focus of the assessment—the process itself is. |
Please Review the Following File to Refresh on SR.
Barriers With Multiple Choice Tests• Lack of reading skills
• More than one correct response choice • Incorrect scoring key • Incorrect bubbling on answer sheet • Clues to the answer in the item or in other items |
Writing Different Types of Selected Response Questions
Multiple ChoiceHow To: Simply start with a question (Stem) then add a number of answers (Options), only one of which is correct.
Stem: Question/prompt
Guidelines
Examples Not Simple: When scientists rely on magnets in the development of electric motors they need to know about poles, which are? Simple and Focused: What are the poles of a magnet called? Incomplete Question/Prompt: Between 1950 and 1965: Complete Question/Prompt: What was the trend in interest rates between 1950 and 1965? Clues in the Question that Give the Answer Away: All of these are an example of a bird that flies, except an:
The "an" in the question implies a noun that starts with a vowel and the only option is "Ostrich." Clues in the Question that Give the Answer Away: Which of the following are examples of birds that do not fly?:
The plural "examples" implies that the correct option must have more than one choice. |
MatchingHow To: Take the statement you want students to know. Split it up into subject and predicate parts. Do this for multiple statements and mix them up for students to then sort out.
Example: A resume is a document that provides a future employer... Subject) Resume Predicate) A document that provides a future employer... Guidelines
Examples Not This
But This
Directions: New England states are listed in the left hand column and capital cities in the right hand column. Place the letter for the capital in the space next to the state in which it is located. Responses may be used only once.
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True/FalseHow To: Write a statement that students should be able to know. Either keep the same for True or change a part of the statement to make it false.
Guidelines
Examples Not this: From the Continental Divide, Located in the Appalachian Mountains, Water flows into either the Pacific Ocean or the Mississippi River. But This: The Continental Divide on the eastern half of the U.S is located in the Appalachian Mountains. |
Fill-In or Short AnswerHow To: Take the knowledge item students and identify the key piece of information students should know. Then, either 1) make a statement with that key piece of information removed or 2) make a question that looks for an answer that is that key piece of information.
Guidelines
Examples Good Short Answer: What were three effects of westward expansion on Plains Indians in the 1800's? Not This: In the percussion section of the orchestra _______, _______, and _________ are located. But This: The kettle drum is found in the ______ section of the orchestra. |
Example Knowledge Assessment
Application Selected Response
Answer the following questions below using your knowledge of applications and what we have discussed in class. 1. What are two ways you can ensure that you fill out your application as neatly and accurately as possible? a. _______________________________________ b. _______________________________________ 2. Which of the following is a rule you should follow when filling out an application a. Make sure all of you references are okay with you using them as a reference and will give you a good recommendation. b. Fill out all applications immediately to prove to the employer that you are a hard worker and task oriented. c. Make up education, experience and skills where necessary to ensure you are hired even if it is inaccurate or untrue. d. Be sure to fully cross out all of your mistakes with pen so that employers know you can catch your errors. 3. List 4 types of information that will be asked of you on an application’s “contact information” section. 1. _______________________________________ 2. _______________________________________ 3. _______________________________________ 4. _______________________________________ 4. Employment Information found on a job application typically will ask you to provide information regarding previously held jobs. List 4 items relating to prior work experience you should know to fill out an application. 1. _______________________________________ 2. _______________________________________ 3. _______________________________________ 4. _______________________________________ 6. True or False (circle one). Upon employment by a government recognized business, you will be required to submit verification of your legal right to work in the U.S. and documentation verifying your identity. 7. True or False (circle one). It is a good idea to lie about your availability so that employers think you are more available than you actually are. 8. Typically how many references should you be prepared to provide for an application? 1. 0 2. 1 3. 3 4. 5 |
STEPS IN THE HIRING PROCESS
Pick out an appropriate outfit, practice common interview questions and double check that you know the location of your interview. A: Fill out an application, attach all required information and submit it to potential employer. B: Write down references without checking if they will give you a recommendation. C: Receive a call or email from the potential employer letting you know if you received the position. D: Tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experience the position you want to apply to is asking for. E: Arrive prepared to your interview no later than 15 minutes early with copies of your resume. F: Find a job opening through your network or research. G: Write a thank you letter to the individuals that conducted your interview to show your appreciation for the opportunity. H: Receive a call or email letting you know that you have been selected for an interview. I: Arrange the steps listed below as they take place in the hiring process from beginning to end. Using the letters next to the steps, write all answers in the numbered column on the right. Remember not all steps have to be used. Answers 1._____ 2._____ 3._____ 4._____ 5._____ 6._____ 7._____ 8._____ |
Information obtained from:http://www-tc.pbs.org/teacherline/courses/inst325/docs/inst325_stiggins.pdf