K-type Quizzing

Everybody recognizes this kind of testing. K-type quizzing stands for questioning with multiple-choice answers. I like K-type tests and in general I like to be tested, but especially I enjoy when a test is created in a smart manner. The reason is that you learn a lot from interaction with a test. This notion is similar to the saying that in order to learn something you have to teach that something.

In my higher education experience I was disappointed that a K-type tests were barely administered. Some professors stated that these tests hurt minorities and students, who speak English as a second language. Others argued that such testing is a discrete one i.e. not for a broad spectrum of knowledge. However I never bought such argumentation.

Therefore I thought about a solution for overcoming the mistrust in such testing. The goal is the one being tested to learn. In other words testing has to be seen as a educational tool and not a day of reckoning. Also that testing has to comply with the notion for a second chance.

First the tests have to be crafted by experienced professors with outlined pedagogic goals. The questions have to be enough to fill up an academic hour by allowing 2-5 min per question. Also the students have to be tested twice on the same subject by allowing them to specify which test to count for the final grading. The last condition eliminates the excuses that someone was tired or misunderstand something i.e. giving them a second chance.

I really believe that such testing will be able to leverage the knowledge and stir a waves of pride and competiveness among the students.