Lorna de Witt RN, PhD
Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor
Windsor, ON
Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was obtaining student feedback on the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique©, (IF-AT), a multiple choice test format that awards part marks for incorrect answers.
Rationale and significance: Evidence suggests that this type of evaluation improves learning outcomes. Although multiple choice testing is heavily used at the University of Windsor, the IF-AT has never been implemented.
Sample and setting: The sample included undergraduate students (n=59) registered in 11-63-245 F08, Health Issues in Gerontology, University of Windsor, instructed by the researcher. Although the course was offered through the Faculty of Nursing, diverse faculties were represented from all levels of undergraduate study.
Methodology: Students were invited to complete an on-line survey through an electronic e-mail delivered to their UWin e-mail address at two week intervals from March 4 to April 13, 2009. All but three questions were structured with 5-point Likert scale responses and comment boxes. The survey was administered through Survey Monkey and received University of Windsor Research Ethics Board clearance. Descriptive statistical frequencies were used to summarize the results.
Results: The survey response rate was 50.85% (30/59). A majority (85.8%) of students either agreed (n=5, 17.9%) or strongly agreed (n=19, 67.9%) that they preferred the IF-AT© to the traditional multiple choice exam. A majority (92.9%) either agreed (n=7, 25%) or strongly agreed (n=19, 67.9%) that the IF-AT© be used in other courses at the university. The highest proportion of respondents identified two disadvantages of the IF-AT© equally: knowing immediately that they made a mistake and scratching answers in the wrong row.
Conclusions: Students strongly recommended continued use of the IF-AT©. Students suggested a trial run of using the IF-AT© answer card. The written and verbal caution about the variable location of the “star” within the box on the answer card needs to be stressed.