Essay or Multiple Choice?

Throughout my life as a student I have always encountered this question, and at times debated with friends over the issue of essay or multiple choice. While others have their own view I view both as good forms of assessment and test giving forms. I feel giving both forms helps the student to exercise their brains. Essay allows the student to elaborate and give a sculpted idea of the topic or topics that they are addressing. I do feel that they are a bit easier for most children because it allows that "in the ballpark" median whereas multiple choice is right or wrong. Some children are better writers and others may be better at multiple choice. It doesn't hurt to try either one. Multiple choice to me when I was younger was fun! I used the process of elimination if I didn't know an answer or was unsure, and majority of the time I must say it worked. If students know how to use this process correctly they can master a multiple choice test. In my future career as a teacher I plan to use both essays and multiple choice for assessment. I feel certain topics can only be answered in multiple choice and others essay it depends. I guess with time each class will weigh out the pros and cons and help me to learn which form is best for them at the time because as we know all children learn differently! I will make sure I exercise both forms in my classroom.

Portfolios

I must say that I am quite a fan of portfolios. I think they do an excellent job as a tracker for student progress and for teacher awareness. Portfolios can benefit both the teacher and student in many ways. As said before it can act as a tracker, and if reviewed weekly by the student this can help for growth in learning for him/her. The student can reflect on past assignments and see where he/she may have been incorrect or needs to brush up, and hopefully draw a closer focus on their next assignments in that area. For a teacher portfolios can create a blueprint for assessment and knowledge of where the student is falling behind. The portfolio can help the teacher to create lessons or projects specifically designed to fit the need for that student. Portfolios also can be a fun way for students to learn. They can keep a collection of their work and keep it with them forever as they advance to higher grade levels. It can take the form of a binder, folder or book, and the students can design it and be themselves while creating their personal portfolio. This can make the student feel that it truly is theirs and not just some way a teacher will look at their work and grade it. Take the boring out of it, color it, draw on it, add some art too it, and make it fun! I would definitely use portfolios in my classroom and hope to have student feedback on them for the future. I actually still have portfolios from about 4th grade through college. Now and then when I look back at them I have a great time reading it all!