The group of students (45 regular students) that I have decided to work with regarding the project for the web skills course is studying literary pieces i.e. Homer's Iliad, Virgil's Aeneid and Aeschylus' Agamemnon. I declared an open book class test for next week. They are supposed to study the first book of The Iliad at home thoroughly and sit for the test where they will be given three questions out of which they will answer any two. The questions will require on their part to locate specific incident in the text and provide a review analytically. They are allowed to use their text and any internet resources (via laptop and cell phone connections) during the test. So the objective statement is -
[Condition]: After reading the first book of The Iliad and, using the text and any web-resource [Audience]: the students [Behavior]: will write answers to two questions within the given time limit [Degree]: which will have their analytic review on issues raised in the questions in correct English.
After this announcement I received a mixed reaction from the group. There were a few who were happy at the prospect of not having to memorize anything in particular, majority kept mum and a few raised their voices of being uncomfortable at the 'unusual' manner of the test.
I think the reasons are - 1. they are more comfortable with set tests (memorizing notes and explaining or writing short notes in the test), 2. they are not very skilled at browsing and finding information.
I met the group having this apprehension separately during counseling hours and gave them another thorough briefing about the test; told them if they aren't comfortable at browsing, they won't have to and all they need is an understanding of what's happening in the text and have their say about it. The whole class has come to an agreement about the test. So we're ready to go for it!
Any thoughts or opinion how to motivate in any other ways?
Hi Tahsina. First, warm greetings from Costa Rica. I really liked this week´s entry because it deals with literature and that is what I teach and what I studied.
ReplyDeleteI think your situation (student´s reaction to your test) is sort of expected because, at least here in my country, students and people in general, are used to memorize things and not to think analytically. As a consequence, when they are confronted to a case like this test, they respond to it much in way to what happened to you.
So, what I might humbly suggest to you is this:
First: prepare several in-class activities similar to the test so when it comes, they are not going to be scared about it because they already know what and how to do it.
Second: work on their confidence since, perhaps, they react in the way they react due to a lack of it. How? well, by making them participate and express any opinion they have on the stories being read or analyzed and without telling them they are wrong (everything is correct if they can prove their point.)
Third: I do not know how you do it in your institution, but if you have the opportunity of building analytic skills inside the class through the use of supportive-related material (For example, videos taken from YouTube on pop/rock songs based on or inspired on the stories being read)that can be of great help since they will be relating their reading texts to their everyday contexts; and, therefore, you will be establishing a link between the students, the texts, and the class.
I hope they all will do well on your test and that you will not have any problem before or after it.
with best regards,
Hector.
Dear Hector
ReplyDeleteThanks a million for all the three tips!
I've been teaching literature for quite some time. Like you, I believe 'everything is correct if the students can prove their point.' I'm meeting the students tomorrow and will have some in-class activities to remove the apprehension about the test.
I never tried pop/rock songs based on or inspired by the literary text. I used movie screening (based on the text) in the class. The idea of linking the students, the text and the class is intriguing. Will try this.
PS. My weekly post is not yet published. This was an insight about the project group.
Thanks again for reading and posting the valuable comment.
Tahsina
You are very welcome.. just to give you an example of songs that can be used in class for The Iliad/Odyssey, this one is called Calypso by Suzanne Vega
ReplyDeleteRegards
Hector.
You are great, Hector from paradise!
ReplyDeleteDear Hector
ReplyDeleteI've had a fruitful discussion in the class as you suggested. We spent about 10 minutes in the class to talk about the test and have a practice orally with a sample question (to come up with reason to support Agamemnon's decision of taking away Briseis). I asked students to raise their hands who still were apprehensive about the test. Started the discussion with one of them. Gave floor to the others to participate. This turned out just fine. Thanks again!
Tahsina