Re: Take Home Exams

Nancy Sattler (nsattler@TERRA.CC.OH.US)
Fri, 27 Sep 1996 09:46:43 -0400

I started take-home math exams in precalc one winter when classes had been
canceled many times because of snow. I found that the students seemed not
to cheat on the take home exams and tended to do their own work. I found
that the tests were easier to grade because the students took more time in
the "writing process".

I have since used take home tests in my other courses with success.
Students usually do better on the takehome test than an in class test since
it allows them unlimited time to work the problems.

I have found that overall, course grades do not change, for the most part,
when students have one takehome test and the other tests more traditional.
The take home test can be a confidence builder for some students. On my
takehome tests, I usually try to ask questions that are a bit more difficult
that the standard in-class test.

I have also had good luck with students writing test questions and then
using these questions as a data base for the test. Sometimes the students
make up more difficult problems than I would!

If you have any other questions, my email address is nsattler@terra.cc.oh.us

Nancy J. Sattler
Terra Community College
2830 Napoleon Road
Fremont, OH 43420

At 01:07 PM 9/26/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Aloha Mathfolks!
>
> Does anyone have experience with the use of take home exams?
>
>Do you think they are effective?
>
>What about cheating?
>
>I would be interested in your thoughts, wisdom and anecdotes.
>
>Many Thanks,
>
>Robert Garry
>