A Method for Instant Assessment and Active Learning

Abstract

A method that provides tremendous benefits to both instructors and students is described in this paper. The method is based on asking a multiple choice question after every 10 to 20 minutes of a lecture and getting responses from all the students. The students respond by raising a card which displays the letter corresponding to their choice of answer. The method is easy to implement in any traditional lecture setting. It provides instant assessment of student learning and lets an instructor take corrective measure, if necessary, in the same class period. The method allows all the students in a class to actively participate, evaluate their own performance, and reflect upon what they have learned. The method works well either in a small or a large class and it typically creates an atmosphere of fun and learning in the classroom.

Using Rapid Feedback to Enhance Student Learning and Satisfaction

“…The flashcard method for providing feedback to students was developed by Mehta [5]. In short, double-sided and colorcoded cards were used by students to display their answer to a question posed by the professor.…”

“…In Fall 2004 the control group used a flashcard system, similar to that described by Mehta [5], to provide rapid feedback. In Fall 2005 the control group used no feedback as a comparison with the treatment group.…”

Classroom Assessment

“…6 Another variation of these, called the "attention quiz," has been developed and tested in an engineering context. 7,8 Here, the class ends with a short, multiple-choice quiz on material discussed in the just completed lecture. If the goal of a class period is for students to learn something instead of only being note takers, these classroom assessment techniques may allow the instructor to evaluate what was learned.…”

Adaptive e-Tutorial for Enhancing Student Learning in Construction Education

“…Tools for providing rapid feedback were introduced in the past. Mehta (1995) developed a flashcard method for providing rapid feedback to students in the class. Ten years later, a fleet of hand-held devices (PDAs) were used for rapid feedback in the class.…”