2008 Woodie Awards
Written Tests in Computer Classes Don't Compute
Brian Moser
Issue date: 9/30/03 Section: Opinions
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Imagine you are on your way to a computer class. There is a big test today, and you know that you are going to do well because you prepared by working on the computer; you have mastered every concept of the class and can do anything the teacher asks you to do. When you arrive, you get pumped up, for you are so ready that there is no way you can get less than an A. Then, the teacher hands out a written test or tells you there is a multiple choice/true false test on the internet to take. Your heart falls down to your feet as you know that you did not prepare for any such thing.
This is how I felt before I got used to these tests, yet I still wonder, why do computer classes need written tests?
I firmly believe that knowing all of the terms for a computer class doesn't show competency in that subject, for that just shows that they read the book. Testing the true ability of a student in a computer class should actually be assessing them involving the computer program that the class uses.
For example, a test in business information processing, which uses Microsoft Excel, should have a test consisting of making a spreadsheet in Excel. A programming class should have tests on making a program; that sounds logical enough.
I have taken written tests for computer classes before and have gotten bad grades, B's and C's, that don't show my true knowledge of the program. These grades really make me angry because I know that if the teacher would have tested me using the program, I would have certainly earned an A.
Grades are not the only thing that is important here, either. Do you think that a boss in the workplace is going to use computer language to tell you how to do, for example, a spreadsheet? No, the boss will tell you to make the spreadsheet with all of the colorful things that he wants to put on it. You, as the employee, must know how to do all of these things on the computer to keep your job. Knowing all of the terms for the program will not get you anywhere unless you know how to operate the program.
A job consisting of using a program will be prepared for best by classes that show how to use and manipulate the program. A class that will show all of the terms for the program only teaches people who plan to be teachers. I don't intend on being a teacher in programming anytime soon, but if that unfortunate fate does befall upon me, then I will be teaching how to manipulate the program by using do-hickies and thingys. At least my students will operate effectively in the workplace.
This is how I felt before I got used to these tests, yet I still wonder, why do computer classes need written tests?
I firmly believe that knowing all of the terms for a computer class doesn't show competency in that subject, for that just shows that they read the book. Testing the true ability of a student in a computer class should actually be assessing them involving the computer program that the class uses.
For example, a test in business information processing, which uses Microsoft Excel, should have a test consisting of making a spreadsheet in Excel. A programming class should have tests on making a program; that sounds logical enough.
I have taken written tests for computer classes before and have gotten bad grades, B's and C's, that don't show my true knowledge of the program. These grades really make me angry because I know that if the teacher would have tested me using the program, I would have certainly earned an A.
Grades are not the only thing that is important here, either. Do you think that a boss in the workplace is going to use computer language to tell you how to do, for example, a spreadsheet? No, the boss will tell you to make the spreadsheet with all of the colorful things that he wants to put on it. You, as the employee, must know how to do all of these things on the computer to keep your job. Knowing all of the terms for the program will not get you anywhere unless you know how to operate the program.
A job consisting of using a program will be prepared for best by classes that show how to use and manipulate the program. A class that will show all of the terms for the program only teaches people who plan to be teachers. I don't intend on being a teacher in programming anytime soon, but if that unfortunate fate does befall upon me, then I will be teaching how to manipulate the program by using do-hickies and thingys. At least my students will operate effectively in the workplace.