From Eurekalert:
In an experiment in which students either took quizzes or were permitted to study material repeatedly, students in the study-only group professed an exaggerated confidence, sure that they knew the material well, even though important details already had begun slip-sliding away. The group that took tests on the material, rather than repeatedly reading it, actually did better on a delayed test of their knowledge.
From Rate Your Students:
My classes are large, so I mostly use multiple-choice tests. One day, being one question short of a nice round number, I used this question: "The answer to this question is D. Be sure to mark D on your answer sheet." The offered choices were: (A) This is the wrong answer. (B) This is the wrong answer. (C) This is the wrong answer. (D) This is the correct answer. Be sure to mark it on your answer sheet. (E) This is the wrong answer.About 20% of the students got it wrong.
I would have totally got that answer wrong!
First, I'd have thought: "It can't be that easy. The Prof. must be messing with us. What's the right answer?" Then, after analyzing it to figure out the trick, I would have thought, "Wait. I'm probably over-thinking it. I bet 'D' is the correct answer." But just to be sure, I would have sat until my time was up trying to figure out what the trick was.
Then, at the very last second, I would decide to mark "D" because hey, that's what it says to do...
...only I'd be in such a hurry, I'd mark the wrong bubble on my answersheet.
That's what I get for taking too many philosophy classes.
Trees
Posted by: Teresa | March 07, 2006 at 09:55 AM
I took Calculus 2 in college and once had a professor make every answer 1. While taking the exam, I did everything in my power to NOT make the answer 1, taking into assumption that my professor wouldn't do that. Needless to say, everyone failed that exam.
Posted by: G-$$ | March 14, 2006 at 09:22 AM