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Mastery Quizzes: One Piece of the Assessment Puzzle. James R. Olsen Western Illinois University. Outline. Background Description Rationale Topics To Create a Mastery Quiz System. Background — Why did I develop a Mastery Quiz System?. I've used mastery quizzes in high school:
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Mastery Quizzes:One Piece of the Assessment Puzzle James R. OlsenWestern Illinois University
Outline • Background • Description • Rationale • Topics • To Create a Mastery Quiz System
Background — Why did I develop a Mastery Quiz System? I've used mastery quizzes in high school: Algebra I (four quizzes), Trigonometry (12 quizzes). in college: Math 100 (two quizzes) Calculus (four quizzes).
Disclaimer: I am not crying for "back-to-the-basics." On the contrary, I am for multiple forms of assessment, problem solving, the use of calculators and computer algebra systems. I see Mastery Quizzes as one piece of the assessment puzzle.
Description My mastery quizzes are: • announced (I give an announcement sheets detailing the objectives and sample items). • short. • only used for basic, key concepts and skills. • a requirement for passing the course. • Students are given multiple chances to pass. • Students are given two chances given in class (after that they take them after school). • graded right away.
Rationale The purpose of the mastery quizzes is simple: Monitor student progress toward some of the central mathematical concepts and skills that all students need to know and be able to do.
My reasons for using mastery quizzes are: • Get the students to learn the material in a timely manner. • Confidence builder for students. • Certain concepts and skills will continually be used. • The teacher knows that everyone can do it. • Tells the students what is important. • Partial credit can sanction flaws in understanding. What may appear to be an "oops-mistake," may actually be a flaw in understanding
Topics Algebra I mastery quiz topics (and links to example quizzes) Trigonometry mastery quiz topics (and links to example quizzes) Calculus mastery quiz topics (and links to example quizzes)
Create a Mastery Quiz System • Decide on the topics. Estimate how many mastery quizzes you'll use. • Start brainstorming on questions. • Get a clear focus on the questions. Optional: Write an announcement sheet to hand out to the students.
Create a Mastery Quiz System (cont’d) • Have enough variety that students can't just get the answer by rote memory. • Variety within the quiz (question to question) • Variety from quiz version to quiz version • Finalize version 1 of the first mastery quiz. • Write subsequent versions. (I use four versions per mastery quiz.) • (Do Steps B and F for subsequent mastery quizzes.)
Jim Olsen JR-Olsen@wiu.edu Mathematics Department Western Illinois University Macomb, IL 61455 309/298-1466