I am being convinced of the opinion that examination for content knowledge ought to be exercised on a daily basis. I find it inefficient and inaccurate to test as few times as twice a semester-- the result is "cramming" for those two tests. Daily "quizzing/papers" would not only promote active involvement in the coursework and readings, but it would give a better indication (over the average) of how well that person knows the material.
Anyone can cram, or get lucky on a test or paper, but it is much more difficult to "fool" a professor based on one's performance of a period of 10-16 weeks, tested daily.
Yes, it is the student's responsibility to learn, but it certainly helps to have a professor who structures the class in such a way as to make that responsibility less ominous.
Is this an argument against standardized tests? No. This is an attack on the law school methodolgy that tests once per semester! As they say in the big top: "it all comes down to this."
Posted by jeremy stock at June 11, 2001 01:43 PM