Re: [MATHEDCC] Open Ended Questions

Vern Kays (vkays@RICHLAND.CC.IL.US)
Wed, 12 Mar 1997 21:26:30 -0600

At 09:23 PM 3/12/97 -0500, Bev Broomell wrote:
><HTML><BODY>
>I have just finished reviewing the first five chapters of a beginning algebra
>text, being published in the future (Bittinger/Ellenbogen _Elementary Algebra:
>Concepts and Applications 5/e_, Addison Wesley Longman).&nbsp; It has exercises
>labeled Synthesis which includes open-ended questions.&nbsp; Students are
>asked questions of the type:&nbsp; You are returning an item which you
>bought at 15% off.&nbsp; The store offers you credit for 115% of what you
>paid.&nbsp; Is this fair to you.&nbsp; Why or why not?&nbsp; (This is a
>variation of a question from chapter 2, section 4.)
><BR>
><BR>My vocabulary must be limited to some extent as I do not recognize the
>term &quot;

rubrics - is a method of grade the quality of an opened question's answer

for example

10 points for a complete answer all variables clearly identified, a plan of
action is clear and precise, if a table or picture is used is it is
appropriate and contributes to the solution. the solution is worked out in
detail and shows a complete understanding of the problem

8-9 points the answer is essentially correct, one error in a calculation.
the problem is well done and contain most of the appropriate definitional
statements and any table or picture is approximately correct.

5-7 points the answer is significantly flawed. Several key concepts are
either missing or incomplete. there are several computational errors.
there is no general plan or formulas present. the numbers are being used in
a computational way that may lead to a correct answer but it is not clear
because of errors and the lack of appropriate formula definition statements

0-4 points show little or no understanding of the problem situation. does
not complete any computation, is not using appropriate methods and lacks a
significant understanding of the concepts necessary to answer the problem

This style of grading is often used in English writing tests. People are
trained to correct the test. three individuals will correct the same tests.
If there is a significant disagreement on the scoring others will correct
the test again.

It is much more complicated and requires practice and effort to put together
both appropriate questions and setting appropriate grading "rubics"

&quot; (I do know that it is not the name of THE CUBE
>that was the rage several years ago).&nbsp; As a consequence, I cannot
>address that part of the query.
><BR>
><BR>Bev Broomell
><BR>Associate Professor
><BR>Mathematics Department
><BR>Suffolk County Community College
><BR>Selden, NY 11784
><BR>
>

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