Quantum Quill
“Unveiling the mysteries of the Universe, one Atom at a time “
Newsletterfrom Viswanadhrao Batchu FourDecadesofExperience
Sri Prakash Junior College
March 16 - 31, 2024
21 st Century Learning Assessment: Open-book Exams
Teachers don't teach; they share!
Over the past several years, many teachers have consistently regarded the concept of teaching as a unilateral transfer of knowledge with sporadic assessments (tests, exams) to determine the extent of learning that has taken place in the student Often, these assessments would be memory-testing-based formats given as short-answer or long-answer questions, or variants. To be relevant in the 21st century, I promote the concept of teaching as the "sharing" of information where both the teacher and student learn together, sharing what they know about the subject This way, when the student makes the effort to source new information via newspaper reading or the internet, they are excited to share it with their teacher and classmates. This form of learning actively helps update both the teacher's and student's knowledge, in addition to using such information in project work assignments I would also like to see the nature of learning assessments change to include more application-based ideas and hypotheses that will drive research to help overcome problems in the living environment The use of recall-based formats may be limited to Class 4; a mix of such questions with application-based questions may be used from Class 5 through 9; and application-based questions with research synthesis and evaluation-based questions may be given to students in Class 10–12.
Using the Open-book Exam System
The present closed-book type of student learning assessment at the school and college level has outlived its usefulness in the 21st century With an ever-widening base of information in every area of human knowledge and an examination system that is orbiting itself in
1
memory-based testing, the closed-book form of learning assessment is as antique as space
For example, as an adult in the workplace, when you are faced with a problem and are unable to solve it, do you give up? Does your supervisor stop
Viswanadharao Batchu
builds a case for open-book and take-home assignments to change the learning assessment system in India
you from communicating with your peers to discuss a solution? I don't think so. Rather, don't you seek the help of someone knowledgeable in the problem area? You sure will do that However, why is our educational examination system promoting a practice where you are prevented from corresponding with information sources? Whereas in reality, in the workplace, you are free to refer to books, manuals, and information directories in the library or consult specialists In essence, the principle is to work in cooperation with the understanding that we all need each other's brainpower if we are to resolve problems in the workplace or personal life. With this brief illustration, I believe it is best to change the learning assessment systems, particularly from LKG through college, to include open-book and take-home types The advantages are several, ranging from virtually eliminating the scourge of copying to ensuring that students will find learning meaningful when they learn how to source information in their quest to apply learned knowledge to resolve problems that are posed as assessment questions High school and college teachers will need to attend professional development workshops that focus on the design, use, and evaluation techniques of questions that can be used in open-book and take-home-type examinations. Parents who are employed in industries or professional areas that constantly utilise advanced concepts relating to the subjects students study in high school and college need to be involved in such workshops Such professionals will be able to share their experiential knowledge of real-life problems in the workplace that require them to constantly use their subject-matter knowledge in practice Giving students a choice of such learning assessment systems also lessens examination tension, especially since each student has a different learning style and performs better in a specific learning assessment system that suits their learning style.
Erasing exam tension
I believe the following seven significant and effective tips will potentially help ease students' exam tension, regardless of which of the above three assessment types are used to evaluate their learning To ensure instructional and learning excellence, the teacher must:
(a) know the subject material and also constantly demonstrate grasp of current knowledge; (b) use simple and advanced instructional technology, including the overhead projector and internet: (c) read, write, and speak English as faultlessly as possible; (d) present the learning matter in an organised and comprehensible manner; (e) ensure that simple activities are used to help reinforce the concepts and keep students actively involved with the lesson; (f) genuinely show that they care for their successful learning; and (g) work with each student, expressing that they believe in their potential to be successful
Role of Parents
The role of parents in the student's success is equally vital I have come across a number of parents who spare no efforts to ensure that their children secure admission into a school or
2
college And, after this, they sit back and hardly make any periodic visits with the teacher until a problem arises or the school celebrates sports day or some occasion in which their children are participating. Parents need to take two actions towards ensuring their children's successful learning: (a) visit with the teacher at least once a month and ask them for suggestions on how best, as parents, they can use strategies that ensure their children's success; and (b) ensure that the suggested strategies are implemented with seriousness and follow-up feedback to the teacher is done regularly
This article was written 15 years ago when I was working at IMSA (the present Sri Prakash Synergy School), Peddapuram, as a member of the Mathematics and Physics faculty I conducted an open book exam to create awareness among ICSE and ISC students in the school
3