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Little tests are quick assessments given to students to measure progress easily. They are well-received by students, encourage motivation, self-confidence, and peer interaction, and help teachers monitor achievement efficiently. Easy to implement and beneficial for both students and teachers.
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‘little tests’ How & Why? Carola Kornfeld
Reasons • For over 1 year • Students like them and want to do them • Easy to recognise and record progress
How do they work • 5 to 10 minute tests • Check what has been recently covered • they are relatively easy to ensure success • corrected by their peers (option: self correction) • students can prepare for them – they are told about them in the previous lesson • content is discussed involvement
My reasons for doing the ‘little tests • I find it difficult to measure and record achievement in a large class - I don’t have the time for monitoring and taking notes - later I don’t remember • I wanted to measure and record achievement easily
Confident? Unsure? What effect do the tests have on learners?
Small Scale Research • Handed out /e-mailed 26 students – 22 students returned the questionnaires • 21 out of 22 students liked the tests or liked them very much, one student was not sure • All 22 students find them beneficial or very beneficial • Main reason for finding them beneficial is: They increase motivation to study • 5 of 7 tutors had 17concerns 4 of 24 students had 6 concerns
Quote from the student who initially displayed anxiety “After doing a test I get a sense of success. At the same time there is some anxiety about the test. But in my mind there is no contradiction”
Example Kleine Übung Name: Date: 1. Nennen Sie 8 Körperteile - mit oder ohne Artikel 2. Setzen Sie bitte die richtigen Formen ein. Wollen, sollen, müssen, dürfen, können, mögen Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich Deutsch lernen .................... Manchmal ........... ich den Lehrer nicht verstehen.
Things to remember • Discuss with students the week before – involve them! • Make it easy – particularly the first one • Give a precise marking scheme e.g. 2 points for correct word and spelling, 1 point only if spelled incorrectly • Possibly hand out coloured pens
Benefits • Encourage motivation to learn • Built self confidence • Encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and encourage discussion amongst students through peer correction • Relatively easy to recognise and monitor student progress and achievement
….. and from my own experience • adult learners are often very keen to find out how they are doing • Fast Track Classes ordinary 1 ½ hour classes Introduce them with a !!!