Shaking Up Standardized Testing: Fun Alternatives!
When someone hears the phrase “standardized testing”, a feeling of dread and boredom probably comes to mind. However, there are ways to spruce up these exams and make them more fun! This article explores the ways that teachers and educators can shake up the traditional testing process and add some creativity and excitement to their exam activities.
Fun Testing: Shaking Up Standards!
Standardized testing has to be a part of the curriculum in many schools, but that doesn’t mean it has to be dull and boring. Instead of a paper and pencil format, teachers can mix it up with hands-on activities that involve students in the learning process. For example, a literature exam might include a role-playing activity in which students act out a scene from a novel that they have read.
Another idea is to give students a set of questions for them to answer through a creative format. Instead of a multiple choice format, students could answer questions with a video, a song, a poem, or an art piece, for example. This gives students the freedom to be creative and explore their interests in the assessment.
Finally, students can be given the opportunity to work collaboratively on exams. With the use of online collaboration tools, students can work together on solving math problems or writing essays, while allowing the teacher to review the work and track each student’s contribution.
Livening Up Exams: Creative Alternatives!
The traditional multiple-choice paper and pencil exams can be supplemented with a variety of fun and creative alternatives. For example, teachers can create a game show-style activity in which students compete against each other for the correct answer.
Another way to add some fun to the testing process is to combine physical and cognitive activities. Students can be asked to do a physical activity, such as a dance or a scavenger hunt, to help them remember facts or information they need to know for the test.
Finally, teachers can use augmented reality or virtual reality applications in their exams. This can help students to interact with the content in a more engaging way and allow them to explore a topic in a much more immersive way than with a traditional paper and pencil exam.
Standardized testing doesn’t have to be a boring, dreaded activity. With a bit of creativity and fun alternatives, teachers can make exams more engaging and memorable for their students. By shaking up the traditional testing process, teachers can help their students stay engaged, interested, and motivated to learn.