EDU 403 Measurement and Evaluation - National Open University ...

EDU 403 MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION
2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
i. Explain the functions of tests in education.
ii. Explain the measurement scales.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Functions of Tests in Education
In section 3.3 of unit I, we discussed the purposes of measurement and
evaluation, but you are aware that test is the instrument used in
measurement and evaluation.
Therefore, apart from those purposes, which in one way or the other are
applicable to tests, we shall explain the main functions of tests in the
educational system in this section. As a teacher, when you set a test for
your class, what do you do with the results? How does the test help you
in the teaching and learning situation?
According to Nwana (1981) a test can fulfill a variety of functions.
These are:
(a) Motivate pupils to study.
(b) Determine how much the pupils have learned.
(c) Determine the pupils’ special difficulties.
(d) Determine the pupils’ special abilities.
(e) Determine the strength and weakness of the teaching
Method.
(f) Determine the adequacy or otherwise of instructional
Resources.
(g) Determine the extent of achievement of the objectives etc.
3.1.1 To Motivate The Pupils To Study
When you go to the church or mosque, every Sunday or Friday, you
listen to the preacher as he exposes the Word, you are not subjected to
any written or verbal examination on the substance of the preaching.
Therefore, the effect of the preaching on you cannot be determined.
Thus whether you are sleeping or paying attention to the preacher is left
for you and you alone. This is not the case in a school situation where
we need to verify our efforts as soon as possible. This is why test are
regularly used to motivate pupils to learn. They study hard towards their
weekly, terminal or end of the year promotion examinations.
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