Make In-Class Assessments More Fun for Students

Madison, Wis.—February 13, 2008 — Most college courses are already packed with so much subject material that most instructors don’t have time to cover it all. So how can we expect them to add student learning assessment activities to their classes, too?

The secret is to require students to listen to lectures outside of class through podcasts, video recordings, and other recordings, says Dr. Peter Saunders, director of Oregon State University’s Center for Teaching and Learning. Saunders presented this and other tips on working student learning activities into your course during this 60-minute online seminar.

If students know that you expect them to come to class already having read or listened to these materials, Saunders noted, then you free up in-class time for social, fun learning assessment activities that:
• help students retain subject matter
• engage students with various learning styles
• prompt students to reflect on how they can improve their learning

It might appear difficult at first to get students to take out-of-class time to view or listen to lectures, Saunders admitted. However, the social nature of learning assessment activities makes it uncomfortable for most students to come to class unprepared.

During the seminar, Saunders offered several examples of learning assessment activities as well as resources for further help, including a website that can help instructors create class assessment plans in just 30 minutes.

If you missed the live event, you can order the program in CD or transcript format, both of which include the presenters' handouts.

Magna Publications is a leading publisher of newsletters and other information products in the higher education segment. Magna also manages onsite and online conferences on topics of interest to higher education.

For more information please contact David Burns, Publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109, or dburns@magnapubs.com.