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Classroom Assessment Techniques
Minute Paper
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Collaborative
Minute Paper (the "Few Minute Paper")
I have found my introductory students have limited skills in reflecting upon what they have learned—or not learned!—in a class. To assist them in developing such skills, I ask self-formed groups of 3 or 4 students to work together on a minute paper. You will need to give them a few minutes to reach consensus. I have found the quality of the feedback to increase considerably.
Peer Check
Ask the students to turn to their neighbor and discuss what they have written; they are surprised at different perceptions or pleased with common ones.
Midpoint Paper
Do the minute paper midway through class; sort and respond immediately (“just-in-time” assessment).
Analysis
Collect the responses and sort them into themes. You will then have a clear idea of what to address in the next class. Keep track of the themes that emerge for the semester for review. You might want to announce to the class the major themes that emerged and how you plan to address them. Crucial point: You must acknowledge your students’ feedback so that they know you value their thoughts!
Pros and Cons
- Takes limited class time and little preparation time; analysis can be done quickly.
- Simple, direct, and versatile; useable in any class at any level.
- Provides focused formative feedback.
- Demands that students reflect upon their learning and listen actively.
- Low tech and low cost!
However:
- You must acknowledge students feedback, that you value their comments, promptly in the next class, even if you do not implement any specific change.
- Students may confuse minor details with major themes.
- Results from the first few minute papers may be unfocused and low in useful information.
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