Mastery Quizzes: One Piece of the Assessment Puzzle James R. Olsen Western Illinois University

Outline Background Description Rationale Topics To Create a Mastery Quiz System

Background — Why did I develop a Mastery Quiz System? I've used mastery quizzes in high school: Algebra I (four quizzes), Trigonometry (12 quizzes). in college: Math 100 (two quizzes) Calculus (four quizzes).

Disclaimer: I am not crying for "back-to-the- basics." On the contrary, I am for multiple forms of assessment, problem solving, the use of calculators and computer algebra systems. I see Mastery Quizzes as one piece of the assessment puzzle.

Description My mastery quizzes are: announced (I give an announcement sheets detailing the objectives and sample items). short. only used for basic, key concepts and skills. a requirement for passing the course. Students are given multiple chances to pass. Students are given two chances given in class (after that they take them after school). graded right away.

Rationale The purpose of the mastery quizzes is simple: Monitor student progress toward some of the central mathematical concepts and skills that all students need to know and be able to do.

My reasons for using mastery quizzes are: 1.Get the students to learn the material in a timely manner. 2.Confidence builder for students. 3.Certain concepts and skills will continually be used. 4.The teacher knows that everyone can do it. 5.Tells the students what is important. 6.Partial credit can sanction flaws in understanding. What may appear to be an "oops-mistake," may actually be a flaw in understanding

Topics Algebra I mastery quiz topics (and links to example quizzes) Trigonometry mastery quiz topics (and links to example quizzes) Calculus mastery quiz topics (and links to example quizzes)

Create a Mastery Quiz System A.Decide on the topics. Estimate how many mastery quizzes you'll use. B.Start brainstorming on questions. C.Get a clear focus on the questions. Optional: Write an announcement sheet to hand out to the students.

Create a Mastery Quiz System (cont’d) D.Have enough variety that students can't just get the answer by rote memory. –Variety within the quiz (question to question) –Variety from quiz version to quiz version E.Finalize version 1 of the first mastery quiz. F.Write subsequent versions. (I use four versions per mastery quiz.) G.(Do Steps B and F for subsequent mastery quizzes.)

Jim Olsen Mathematics Department Western Illinois University Macomb, IL /