Thailand : Multiple-choice questions to blame for low grades

**Mid** · 11-12-2008, 09:42 AM

Multiple-choice questions to blame for low grades
December 11, 2008

A leading mathematician yesterday said Thai children's low academic standards could be blamed on multiple-choice questions used in examinations.

Prof Narong Punnim was speaking a day after the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) announced that an international assessment showed that Thai students were not up to par in mathematics and science. IPST added that the performance had clearly dropped when compared with a previous assessment.

"Multiple-choice questions have been an ongoing problem in Thailand's education system," Narong pointed out. "Such evaluation methods are destroying our children but most teachers are still unaware of it."

He explained that multiple-choice questions allowed children to pick any answer and still stand a chance at passing the exam.

Narong, a lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University, chaired the mathematics panel at the Promotion of Academic Olympiads and Development of Science Education Foundation under late Princess HRH Galyani Vadhana's patronage.

The professor also criticised the procedure of repeatedly holding make-up exams until students pass.

"As far as I know, Chitralada School is the only school that requires its students to repeat a course if they fail the exam," he said.

He said he also disagreed with the methods used by teachers these days.
"The teachers are too preoccupied with getting their students through entrance exams, instead of concentrating on giving them knowledge," Narong complained.

nationmultimedia.com

**spiff** · 11-12-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

He explained that multiple-choice questions allowed children to pick any answer and still stand a chance at passing the exam.

Yeah, and often the offered choices contain more than one right answer, or none at all, if our daughter's English tests are anything to go by.

**benbaaa** · 11-12-2008, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by spiff

Yeah, and often the offered choices contain more than one right answer, or none at all, if our daughter's English tests are anything to go by.

That, unfortunately, is very true. One simple example from here: http://www.english-room.com/someany_01.htm

Dumb fucks.

**kingwilly** · 11-12-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

He explained that multiple-choice questions allowed children to pick any answer and still stand a chance at passing the exam.

not really.

basic combination theory. odds are incredibly remote.

**benbaaa** · 11-12-2008, 11:00 AM

Two more.

**CharleyFarley** · 11-12-2008, 11:42 AM

Explaining the some/any rule is beyond me because of the exceptions.

**kingwilly** · 11-12-2008, 11:51 AM

Multiple-choice Test

**benbaaa** · 11-12-2008, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by CharleyFarley

Explaining the some/any rule is beyond me because of the exceptions.

It was for me too until I read The English Verb by Michael Lewis. Recommended for TEFL-heads.

**Mid** · 11-12-2008, 02:28 PM

3 + 3 =

a: 6

b: 8

c: 9

**Gallowspole** · 11-12-2008, 02:31 PM

d) or all of the above

**dirtydog** · 11-12-2008, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by CharleyFarley

Explaining the some/any rule

I didn't even know there was one

6=A
9=B
13=A
Well thats how it feels comfortable to me, although I really couldn't see much difference if they were all interchanged apart from the coffee one.

**Thetyim** · 11-12-2008, 03:22 PM

Depends if you are talking about a cup of coffee or a jar of coffee

**dirtydog** · 11-12-2008, 03:35 PM

^Thats true, sitting here with a cup of coffee decided my grammar

**Gallowspole** · 11-12-2008, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Depends if you are talking about a cup of coffee or a jar of coffee

I believe 'some' is used in positive sentences, unless the clause is limiting and 'any' in negative sentences and questions, unless the answer is expected to be in the positive.

Do you have any animal porn? (to an Englishman) Ans.Sorry, I don't have any.
Do you have some animal porn? (to a Welshman or Kiwi)Ans. Yes, I have some excellent stuff.

or

Well, I had but my mum found most of it under my bed so now I have hardly any left.

**Texpat** · 11-12-2008, 05:01 PM

I can see how the grades might improve if there were only one option to test questions.

1. How many baht are in 100 baht?
A. one hundred

alternatively ...

1. How many baht are in 100 baht?
A. one hundred
B. one hundred
C. one hundred
D. one hundred

Happy to see Thai education leaders are looking for ways to improve test scores.

**mikehunt** · 11-12-2008, 07:03 PM

In 2005, I taught mathematics to a "Matayom 1" (Year 7) class for about a year. During that period, I issued two major tests to the students. Both tests were NOT multiple choice. All "working" had to be shown. When both of these tests were handed back to the students, I made time (1 hour in class & anytime, if I was available, after class) to go through the test with the students & help them to understand their errors.
The students had never done this type of test before.

Prior to the first test, I advised the students about how I would mark the test. I told them that even though their final answer may be incorrect, they may gain marks (points) for showing correct working. I then gave them some "trial" tests, which did not contribute to their overall mark, just to get them familiar with things.

Strangely, many Thai teachers tried to dissuade me from conducting such a test, the main reason cited was, "It will take a long time to mark."
I agreed with this comment & retorted with, "Yes but the students stand a better chance of learning." To me, they were lazy & did not consider the student's education...just attend school & get paid.
Out of fifty or more Thai teachers, only one agreed with me but would not let the other Thais know that he agreed.

**Norton** · 11-12-2008, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Dumb fucks

A brand I'm unfamiliar with but could well be the right answer.

**Norton** · 11-12-2008, 08:46 PM

I can only deduce the reason multiple choice questions are becoming the norm is because teachers are too lazy or ignorant to read a written answer. Using multiple choice for testing ones knowledge of a language is by far the most ridiculous. FFS, let the little beggars write something!

**Rural Surin** · 11-12-2008, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by mikehunt

In 2005, I taught mathematics to a "Matayom 1" (Year 7) class for about a year. During that period, I issued two major tests to the students. Both tests were NOT multiple choice. All "working" had to be shown. When both of these tests were handed back to the students, I made time (1 hour in class & anytime, if I was available, after class) to go through the test with the students & help them to understand their errors.
The students had never done this type of test before.

Prior to the first test, I advised the students about how I would mark the test. I told them that even though their final answer may be incorrect, they may gain marks (points) for showing correct working. I then gave them some "trial" tests, which did not contribute to their overall mark, just to get them familiar with things.

Strangely, many Thai teachers tried to dissuade me from conducting such a test, the main reason cited was, "It will take a long time to mark."
I agreed with this comment & retorted with, "Yes but the students stand a better chance of learning." To me, they were lazy & did not consider the student's education...just attend school & get paid.
Out of fifty or more Thai teachers, only one agreed with me but would not let the other Thais know that he agreed.

Unfortunately, this is a instilled and common character trait of the Thai educational system. They just pretend to give a rat's arse, but don't really have the ability to recognize quality in lieu of quanity.

**Rural Surin** · 11-12-2008, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

I can only deduce the reason multiple choice questions are becoming the norm is because teachers are too lazy or ignorant to read a written answer. Using multiple choice for testing ones knowledge of a language is by far the most ridiculous. FFS, let the little beggars write something!

Educational techniques and mechanics really need to be revamped here.

**mikehunt** · 11-12-2008, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by mikehunt

In 2005, I taught mathematics to a "Matayom 1" (Year 7) class for about a year. During that period, I issued two major tests to the students. Both tests were NOT multiple choice. All "working" had to be shown. When both of these tests were handed back to the students, I made time (1 hour in class & anytime, if I was available, after class) to go through the test with the students & help them to understand their errors.
The students had never done this type of test before.

Prior to the first test, I advised the students about how I would mark the test. I told them that even though their final answer may be incorrect, they may gain marks (points) for showing correct working. I then gave them some "trial" tests, which did not contribute to their overall mark, just to get them familiar with things.

Strangely, many Thai teachers tried to dissuade me from conducting such a test, the main reason cited was, "It will take a long time to mark."
I agreed with this comment & retorted with, "Yes but the students stand a better chance of learning." To me, they were lazy & did not consider the student's education...just attend school & get paid.
Out of fifty or more Thai teachers, only one agreed with me but would not let the other Thais know that he agreed.

Unfortunately, this is a instilled and common character trait of the Thai educational system. They just pretend to give a rat's arse, but don't really have the ability to recognize quality in lieu of quanity.

Very happy to see that you spelt "arse" correctly

BTW, I don't have a degree in education. Worse still, I don't have a degree!
I guess the amount of "face lost" could be immense if a non-qualified person actually did make a difference to the amount a student learns, particularly if the person who purportedly causes the "loss of face" is not "qualified".
TIT.

**Rural Surin** · 11-12-2008, 10:44 PM

Unfortunately Mike, it's an embarrassing reflection on the system that trained Thai teachers aren't allowed to develop personal techniques, nor are they encouraged to challenge or critique redundant and futile homogeny. How can one expect students to chase {in theory} critical thought and to examine varitable ideas, if the instructor does not ptomote {or have a clue} within. I know quite a number of teachers, from primary teachers to professors. All, good likable folks. Yet, they just don't get it.

**mikehunt** · 12-12-2008, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Unfortunately Mike, it's an embarrassing reflection on the system that trained Thai teachers aren't allowed to develop personal techniques, nor are they encouraged to challenge or critique redundant and futile homogeny. How can one expect students to chase {in theory} critical thought and to examine varitable ideas, if the instructor does not ptomote {or have a clue} within. I know quite a number of teachers, from primary teachers to professors. All, good likable folks. Yet, they just don't get it.

Too true...unfortunately.

**Kikiat2009** · 20-12-2008, 07:18 PM

multiple choice is popular here because most of the Thai educators are lazy (in their defense there tend to be 60 students in one class and they get paid peanuts) and multiple guess checks the fastest, you give them one of them fill in sheets, teachers have a template where all the right answers are cut out, they lay it over that little answer sheet and can instantly see the right/wrong answers. saves them hours of work.

**Kikiat2009** · 20-12-2008, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by mikehunt

Very happy to see that you spelt "arse" correctly BTW, I don't have a degree in education. Worse still, I don't have a degree! I guess the amount of "face lost" could be immense if a non-qualified person actually did make a difference to the amount a student learns, particularly if the person who purportedly causes the "loss of face" is not "qualified". TIT.

The Thai teachers with "degrees" went to the same shit system they are now a part of, how "qualified" makes that them really?

Thread: Thailand : Multiple-choice questions to blame for low grades

Thread Tools

Display

Thailand : Multiple-choice questions to blame for low grades

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions