I will be liveblogging the test I am giving my Introduction to American Politics class. It's not like I have anything better to do then. Plus, some of you might find it interesting to learn what it's like to be on the other side of the test taking table.

Until then, no posts. I haven't even really had time to answer e-mail in the last couple of days. Sorry. I'll try to get to it soon.

Liveblogging is now over. But you can see what I wrote in the extended entry below. Since I'm sure so many people find this, er, fascinating.... 210: Just passed out the test. Class actually starts at 210, not 200.

On a normal day there are maybe 10 students in thsi class. Today, there are 18. I swear, I've never even seen two of the students. I'm not joking. I went up and introduced myself. Apparently, they are either geniuses or utter morons. Geniuses if they pass this test. Morons for wasting the afternoon thinking if they think could show up to class only on test days and pass. I'm betting on the latter.

2:15 The eyes begin to wonder. Our three football players already beginning to fidget. Two of them aced the first test. I suspected they had a test bank going, so for test number 2 I went with about 50% brand new questions. Needless to say, the two who aced test #1 both failed. Hmmmmm, I wonder why?

A look of terror already begins to grip the students........

220: What is sad are the students who show up every class session, but still fail. I feel sorry for these kids. I had a student come in the office about 30 minutes before the test asking questions. She had no idea what some pretty basic vocabulary words meant. Sad. The high schools are not preparing these students. 70% of my class time is spent on high-school level stuff. Can you believe I have to waste valuable time telling students that Senators are elected for 6 year terms, HR 2, and Pres 4 years!! They really don't know.

225: Two kinds of students finish first. Student A doesn't know diddly squat and has better things to do on a nice afternoon. He gets out of here quick. Student B learned all this stuff in high-school civics. The tests are a formality for him. He's also out of here quick.

Looking around my class I will bet on Student B today. There are a couple of 100 watt bulbs in a class of 60 watters. Right there. On the front row. You. I bet you finish first. Any takers?

230: You should have taken the bet. It was a Student B type, only I picked the wrong one. It was a good student on the second row. D'oh!

231: The worst thing about teaching college is not the money, although I have a lot of complaints about that, the worst thing is that many students don't make any effort at learning new ideas. The typical student today sees the college degree as a means to an end. That end is a job. They do not see learning as an end to itself. So why keep teaching? There are a few. There are a few....

More students finishing........

235: Checking the comments I see no one cares. Alas.

Tell me, how does a student finish a 50 question test in 20 minutes? I was never that bright. Seriously. I was always last out of class. Always double check your tests. Don't outguess your initial impression for a question you have no idea about the answer, but do check to see if you marked the answers correctly. Trust me, it happens. Even when I fill out the scantron key (this is an intro class, give me a break!!) I make mistakes.

239: The floodgates open! So many students finishing now. Is it just me, or do the coeds seem to be wearing skimpier outfits today? If so, is it intentional or done on some subconscience level? Do they really think that would affect the outcome of their grades?

240: Note to students. Try to keep your eyes forward in a test. It just looks bad. Oh, and don't scratch and yawn a lot. If you must look anywhere but down, look up. Never side to side. I bet there is a lymerick in there somewhere.

245: Ok, so today I had about 5 students from this class who called in to tell me they were sick. That's original.

We're down to about 30% of the class. Except for football row in the back, all of these students show up on a regular basis. One of them is my advisee. My bet is these guys set the curve.

247: Checking Robin's comments I can totally sympathize. I had a student, who is sitting right in front of me right now, just get a copy of the syllabus yesterday. This is test #3. After this there's only the final.

250: 2 students left. One Student A, one Student B. It's not odd as much as it is indicative of how randomness truly works, but in the past 3 mintes a ton of students finish. All within 10 seconds of each other.

255: Ok, I see one of the lst two hammering away with the eraser. Come on Ms., don't blow it! I hope you didn't do what I've done in the past. You know, skip a question then have to go back and refill in all the bubbles.

Ah, she's finished. One to go.........

257: The last student seems to be going over her work with a fine toohed combe. I'm betting she has a little case of test anxiety. It's a pity. I've always been pretty good at test taking skills. Even for big tests, like the GRE, I did better on the actual test than on the practices.

The dirty little secret of the scantron type test is that they suck to make. Grading is pretty easy, but coming up with multiple choice questions is a bare. I figure 5-10 minutes per question.

There she is. Finished!! Alright. Ciao. Now to grade. Grading!! No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Rusty at 11:21 AM | Comments (17) | Add Comment
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