Blog 6

A fixed response for writing will leave the answer options limited. For a writing prompt that is fixed in nature the student would be required to know, specfically, what the answer is. For a contructed response the question can be higher level and allow the student to have more flexibility in answering. A contructed response will be answered more objectively using a detailed rubric whereas a fixed response writing assessment may have only one correct answer and only a few ways in which to answer that question. A contructed response writing assessment may be the longer essay questions and the fixed response one may be the shorter, short answer questions.

Computer based tests, once made, can provide convenience for the student and for the teacher. However, the initial setting up of questions and creating the test can be initially very time consuming. Obviously, when the computer grades the work it is grading on the information the teacher inputted. The downfall to this is that students cannot be assessed individually. For example, you might have a student whose ablities require special consideration. For a teacher graded test those students can have the benefit of the teacher's feedback and consideration of the students writing or cognitive abilities. Also, sometimes students don't test well or are unclear about directions. A teacher graded assessement can address problems of confusion. It adds the human element when the teacher is more involved. Some students may be more successful with more teacher interaction.