I’ve learned that giving tests during distance learning or remote learning is really hard to do. There’s really no guarantee that the test you give is authentic. Your students at home could very easily have help from other people or, you know, the internet. I don’t care about this in terms of the grades they get. I couldn’t care less about the grade. What I really matters to me, is how much they are learning. I care about the work that I am doing, and how they are receiving and interpreting my lessons. It matters to me, how well they can communicate what they have learned.
Let me make the point: No part of distance learning is easy. Okay, well one thing is easy – leggings & sweatpants were kinda nice. One of my biggest challenges was keeping up with the students’ and their progress. I can’t peek over their shoulder and take a quick look at their work. Private conversations are near impossible. Feedback on my students’ work is tough too. I find I’m not able to give the same feedback I really want to ON THE WORK. At the end of the day, tests have to happen. So here’s how I’m doing it.
How I’m Giving Tests During Distance Learning
My students and I have had quite a few conversations about test integrity. And honestly, I know that we can have this conversation a thousand times and the results would be the same. I can’t trust the integrity of the results. Kids will always be kids. In having these conversations with my students I like to think that I have converted most of them to my side. That the grade is just a grade. The test can always be retaken. School is about learning, not grades. But I’m mostly certain taht at least one of them will search for test answers while my eyes aren’t on them to keep them honest.
So when giving tests during distance learning – this is how I do it. After a conversation, reminding my students that grades show me their learning, I ask them to be honest. I ALWAYS let my students retake tests, but this year, to reduce work for all of us, I offer test corrections for full credit back. In doing this, my students are incentivized to be honest.
We *try to* take the test using just brainpower and calculators. Then I score the tests. My students then have a week to get the tests corrected and turn them in again to be rescored. I give my students FULL credit back. I know, crazy, right? I don’t think so. I care so much more that my students 1) show me what they learned and 2) learn from those mistakes. If that results in their report card reflecting “high” grades, then so be it. I keep the original test scores of course. This will show me their growth. Well as much as they are willing to show me.
Distance Learning Isn’t Easy – At All
Anybody who tells you otherwise is selling you something! Distance teaching is certainly difficult, but not impossible. It’s so important to be flexible, and to do what you can each day to deliver your best. And to be clear, I don’t really know what I’m doing either. I’m just here sharing what I’ve picked up along the way to try to help.
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