Chapter 5

What is a constructed-response item?

• An item for which the student must provide the answer

• An item for which the student must select the answer

• An item for which the student must provide the question

• An item for which the student must select the question

What are the three elements of a constructed-response item? Write your response in the form of a list.

Answer explanation

A prompt

The response format

The scoring criteria

Select the most important element(s) of a constructed response item. You may select multiple answers.

• Prompt

• Response Format

• Scoring Criteria

• Creativity

• Novelty

A prompt written to elicit an appropriate response is giving the answer to the students.

• True

• False

In what ways does response space impact student responses? Provide at least two ways in full sentences.

Answer explanation

Giving students more space implies that a longer answer may be needed. It can give hints and also make a student second guess their answer if it doesn't perfectly fill up the space given.

Response space should differ between questions based on how much students are meant to write.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Enough space should be given for the longest answer needed and every question should share this amount of space.

Leroy is a first year teacher responsible for Chemistry 20. He wants students to complete an experiment and report on their results so he can evaluate their performing and recording skills. However, he doesn't have a lot of time to be grading full lab reports so he asks them to perform the experiment, record their data and results, and explain any sources of error that may have impacted the experiment.

 

What type of scoring criteria would fit this situation best between a checklist, a holistic rubric, and an analytic rubric. Please explain your choice using 2-3 full sentences.

Answer explanation

The best option for this situation would be a checklist. A checklist works best because he is only looking to determine if they can or cannot follow the necessary steps and record the data. It is also the best choice because it allows for quick grading and he does not have much time.

Teachers should grade papers ___________ to avoid bias in their results.

Grading should be reviewed to ensure consistency between applications of the rubric

• True

• False

Explain why offering students choice in constructed response questions is NOT recommended. Please respond in full sentences.

Answer explanation

Avoid giving options in the item because students will avoid the ones they struggle with most often. Also, it is difficult to have two different questions assess the same thing so you will have a hard time understanding the responses meaning. Also, one may have lower cognitive demand than another.