Dear Readers,

Please check out our new Opinion Poll on Public Announcement of Grades and cast your vote by the end of April 2013. As you know …

your opinion counts

Our March 2013 poll was about Open-book tests and exams:

Tests and exams should be open-book, because they focus on understanding the material at a higher level, rather than testing a student’s memory and recall.

• I agree. Open book tests teach you how to find information when you need it. The questions are designed to teach students how to think; they have to prepare differently for these tests. (76%, 55 Votes)

• I disagree. Open-book tests take the rigour out of test preparation and let students off the hook. Students put more effort into studying for a traditional test and so learn the material better. (24%, 17 Votes)

Those who think that tests and exams should be open-book won this poll by a big margin. Over 3/4 of the respondents feel that open book tests and exams are a more effective means of assessing students’ understanding and learning, rather than traditional closed-book tests that stress on memory and recall.  The remaining 1/4 voters believe that the rigour that is part of traditional testing, is essential for learning.