Special ed. middle school science. Friday. They had an open book quiz.
About halfway through first period, the instructional aide (Ms. S) noticed that the four blood types were listed on the board. Identifying them was one of the questions on the quiz. Oops.
Since erasing them would have drawn attention to them, we decided to leave them up. It was an experiment. Would the students notice?
The students who finished early enough had the opportunity to fix wrong answers. (They get docked a point.) Many had found the blood types. They were in the book. What wasn't in the book but was a question was, "What's the universal donor?" And they all missed that one.
Ms. S pointed out that their teacher Mr. M had gone over that with them. But still, they couldn't recall it.
Towards the end of the period, Mr. M came by. (He was out due to a field trip, but the group hadn't left yet. He was checking in.) We pointed out the blood types listed on the board. We also mentioned that the class didn't remember what the universal donor was.
Instead of erasing the blood types, Mr. M made a slight modification to the board...
So, the rest of the day saw this right away and got the answer correct, right?
Eh, not so much.
We basically had to hint rather strongly to get them to notice. And still...
There's a reason they're in special ed. Although, I know plenty of regular ed students who would miss the obvious as well.
I'm guessing just as many regular students would miss it.
ReplyDeleteBlack nd to what’s right in front of them.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to prove, no one reads the signs ;)
DeleteI might not notice it myself, mostly because I've never had an open book exam and in my day, casting your eyes anywhere but your own paper was called cheating...and I wouldn't expect the teacher to be leaving answers around.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not sure how I feel about declaring O "the best."
Yeah, I rather think O is overrated, but that's just me ;)
DeleteInteresting. I wonder if I would have looked up much during an open book test. I'd like to think that I would.
ReplyDeleteConsidering that he put it on the board when he discussed it the prior day, one would wonder if they might remember it had been there...
DeleteWow....Okay so shall we just say that they were looking in the books for the info and just did not look up to see it on the board???/
ReplyDeleteYeah, their noses were stuck in those books.
Deletelol. I love how you were concerned about the note on the whiteboard and the teacher just nonchalantly comes in and "fixes" it so the kids can ace their quiz. Yet they still miss it.
ReplyDeleteHe knows how much info they need. And he gets to decide what's "cheating" and what's not.
DeleteI would probably have missed it. ~grin~ Thank you for sharing so many anecdotes. They never cease to entertain. Be well!
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't write about my job, I wouldn't have anything to blog about ;)
DeleteI am a proud O+ but I suppose that just makes me common. This reminds me of when I've done a spelling test and one of the words is 'exit' and the kids all point to the sign on the door. Some still get it wrong ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, the kiddos really don't look around too much during tests, do they?
DeleteMany people don't read the signs. I see this where I work often so kids are no different. I am A- so somewhat rarer
ReplyDeleteI know, they don't. I remember from working in retail. If you want more questions, put up the sign.
DeleteI think most people just don't pay attention. You don't want to know how many people walk into our clearly labeled office "thinking" it's another one in the building.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, I'm not surprised.
DeleteOne of those things that makes you laugh a little when you know but heck we all do that kind of thing most days, I'd bet.
ReplyDelete