[Jamers04]

I'm not being snarky.<br><br>
Well partly.<br><br>
I don't believe they help learn material in the long-term. But do they teach how to work in a rush or anything?

 

[SwimSurfDive]

They're not supposed to. We're supposed to have learned the material over the term, and we're being tested on how well we can apply them. (Because THAT always works....)<br><br>
But as to working in a rush, at least they're timed. Untimed ones, I have found, can be a double edged sword. You have all the time in the world to work, but if you don't get it, you spend a week reading through your notes and books trying to find an answer that isn't there.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad"> I'm sure you'll do fine though. You're a smartypants.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[lelly]

The teaching is done by finals time. Now you're being tested.

 

[Diane95]

I give take home exams so that I'm not testing how much you can upload into your brain and then spew out again during a limited period of time.<br><br>
Instead, I'm testing how organized your note-taking has been over the term. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/razz.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Razz">

 

[bap]

What's a final?

 

[Flounder]

A good final is like a marathon - The more work you put in your training the better you will do compared to your ability. But just like a marathon - Some people have more ability than others. Its hard to build a test that can push all people to the maximum of their abilities, so some people can slack and still be "Excellent" when they are really mediocre when you compare them to their potential.

 

[jcumming]

And out there in real life when you have a problem to solve you will get three hours and you won't be able to ask anyone to help you. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
C'mon folks, finals aren't really all that useful except we just don't have another way to efficiently evaluate in a short timeframe.<br><br>
If Diane could spend a full day with each student individually, going over what has been gotten out of the course, with many different scenarios, it would be much better than a final. But if Diane had more than a dozen students that would be pretty impractical.

 

[ElDuderino]

Test-taking is a valuable skill in the modern, results-oriented world. I've been out of school for nearly 5 years and still have examinations looming on the horizon (although I won't have to renew my board certification for another 9 years <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="banana"> )

 

[Diane95]

Heck, I wouldn't even give grades if there were a dozen of me. Just extensive feedback. Grades are stupid.<br><br><i>Distracted, thinking of all the other things I could accomplish if there were a dozen of me...</i>

 

[jcumming]

I think that statement can be borne out by the fact that the lowest marks seem to be achieved by two groups:<br><br>
1) the very brightest<br>
2) the least bright<br><br>
In real life there aren't that many places where taking written tests has any value. I'm thinking some medical recertification would be one.<br><br>
I have to get recertified as a Principal. It must not be priceless because it only involves my Master Card.

 

[caribougrrl]

...me too, Diane, me too...