Job Discussion Forums

[7969]

i have eight classes at my job. four are oral english classes and i'll be giving an oral exam to these classes. that wont be a problem as many of these students have decent english and arent afraid to speak.

the other four classes are the topic of this thread. their english is weak, very weak, and i was asked to discuss management/leadership/logistic case studies with them from a textbook. i told my school that this subject might be best taught by a chinese teacher (the text is not easy and is very technical), however, i was given the classes anyway.

the exam for these classes will be a written exam. last week, i chose four different case studies that we covered during the term, and am in the process of reviewing the three questions in the text that pertain to each case study, and am having the students copy the answers to these questions (12 in all) in their textbooks or notebooks. the exam will consist of one question from each of the four case studies (but the students dont know which four of the 12 i'll choose). attendance at these classes (including the exam review period) was sparse at times since most students just gave up as they found it a waste of time when they couldnt understand anything.

my question is this: in conducting the exam, i have to decide on whether or not to make it an open book exam. making it open book will ensure that most students pass, as all they need to have done was show up for the review period (or copy notes from a student who did show up for exam review), copy down the answers discussed in class, and then recopy those same answers from their textbook onto the test paper. not much of a challenge for students. on the other hand, making it closed book, will ensure that only the students who really contributed to the class (by attending and participating in the discussions) will pass, but this option will almost guarantee an 80% failure rate.

reflecting back on these four classes, i saw how little interest there was in this text and near the end of the term, i just stopped using it entirely and am finishing off with some oral english lessons that i think are more useful, constructive and interesting. i wasnt given any goals or aims by the english department as to how far i had to go in the text so i just used my own judgement in terminating its use awhile back.

any opinions or comments on what i should do here? open book exam or not?

7969

[kev7161]

I say save yourself headaches and make it open book. If most of your students didn't care and your school (seemingly) didn't care, then open book it. You might make a statement either orally or at the top of the test thanking the students who managed to attend your classes regularly (maybe make attendance 10% of the test, thus assuring those that DIDN'T attend it, nothing higher than a "B") and how much you appreciated their efforts. Coming from a teacher, this may make them feel happy and at least are recognized for their efforts.

[dajiang]

Agreed with Kev: open book.

Now to sift out the really lazy ones that will try to cheat even on an open book exam, try making a few versions. (you could even use the same questions but in a different order)

Besides, an open book exam doesn't have to be that easy. You could ask questions that make them use the information in the book.

Dajiang

[Malsol]

All of my business core course exams are open book. I even tell my students they are free to step out into the hall and call a friend on their mobile.


Open book is not easier. No more pass open book than pass closed book.

It is the grading that makes the difference.

[mondrian]

imho how to grade it:
If they have attended your classes: 10% (scaled down for partial attendance)
If they have contributed to your classes (ie you recognize them!): another 20%
If they can write more than 50 words on your topic that is original: another 50%. If, however, total copying of material AND acknowledging sources: 40% (but you have to teach them the perils of plagiarism beforehand)
Just plain copying: 20%.
No answer: 0%
Open book exam; toiletcoffee/SMS breaks allowed, but NO extra time for these
Simple!!

[7969]

thanks for the replies. its all settled then.

7969

[Malsol]

Just remember -

30% - A
30% - B

split the rest any way you want but nothing below 60 points because that is an F

[Yu]

How about at take home.... This way they can cheat and you dont have to bear witness.