"I allowed my students to complete this worksheet for our class texts and use them on the final exam. It was PERFECT for them to narrow their ideas into notes while having the information necessary to write their essays. Thanks!"
1. Open-notes tests validate the purpose of taking notes. It's an excellent way to encourage students to study as they pour through the information, ensuring they have determined what they believe is essential.
We suggest that students study for a test, but what does that look like? They might read over their notes a few times, but not really dig in because they don't have a reason to own the information.
By letting them know they can use their notes on an upcoming assessment, they are going to make sure those notes are complete.
2. A useful trick: Consider limiting the size of paper or notecard. Limiting space encourages students to determine what's essential, like the teacher did with the graphic organizer above. Rewriting notes also helps with the hand-to-brain learning connection.
I experienced this first-hand as an undergrad. My Human Anatomy and Physiology professor told us we could use any information from our notes we could get on a 3x5 notecard, both sides, for the class final. Best news EVER!
Because I was limited in the size of paper I could use, I had to determine what was important and what could be left out. I spent way more time on that notecard than I would have just reading over my notes.
We took our seats on the day of the final, notecards in hand. The first words out of his mouth were, "Put everything away."
Wait, what?!? Did I misunderstand? We questioned him, and he assured us we wouldn't need the cards.
Turned out he was right! I had spent so much time organizing that notecard, I could visualize where every piece of information I needed was.
(I still have that notecard… somewhere... I’ll find it when I don’t need it.)
3. Open-notes tests can offer additional information. We know assessments should not be considered a finite experience, and ALL the information is part of the learning spiral. Open-notes testing provides students the opportunity to push onward.
Allowing students to use their notes is an additional opportunity for them to discover holes in their understanding. I encouraged students to make note updates as they worked, if there was something they didn't understand. That might be in the form of a question to ask or look up later.
4. Mix it up: Take the test, then use the notes. Sometimes, I'd have my class take the test and then allow students to self-check their answers using their notes before turning in the assessment.
If individuals wanted to change their answers, they used a different color pen, drawing a line through their original answer and writing their correction. This allowed them to own their work and validated the purpose of taking notes. It also gave me more information on what they were initially thinking.
5. Using their notes is not guaranteed for every test. There's a benefit to keeping students off balance, and it challenges them to make sure important information is in their notes and incidentally, in their heads.
At the time, I thought my professor played a dirty trick on us by promising a notecard cheatsheet, but he knew something I would eventually figure out. All the time and energy I put into cramming notes on that card, I was also imprinting it on my brain. He taught us that re-writing our notes and summarizing was an effective study tool.
I believe open-notes tests are part of an ongoing lesson in determining importance and summarizing information. I like how open-notes testing gives students control in the learning process while leaving the door open for new understandings.
Graphic organizers, such as Story Map for Novels, are an excellent way to guide students to important information. It also ensures they're not copying down every word– just hitting the highlights.
Be sure to pick up your copy of Story Map for Novels here. And if you have any questions about open-notes testing, drop a comment below. I'd be interested to know if you have used open-notes testing.
