Examinations in Nuffield O-level project

Abstract

One of the most important innovations of the Nuffield Science Teaching Project is the use of a new type of examination which is designed to test understanding of the experiments and principles in science and to reduce the need for rote memorization. It is no exaggeration to say that the adoption of this new Nuffield type examinations is vital to the success of the Project. The Project emphasize s - 32 -that the new examination should actively encourage the teaching method which the Project fosters, as well as measure achievement in the objectives of the Project, and should reflect the spirit of the Project. The use of the multiple-choice type of questions has given rise to some discussion. The 0-level physics organizer felt some doubt as to whether objective tests really test under standing and for this reason did not adopt an objective format. In chemistry and biology, the objective type questions were positively introduced. It seems that the adoption of the odjective test is under the influence of U.S.A. But the Nuffield Project recognizes that the objective test must always be used in conjunction with more conventional subjective examinations. The setting of satisfactory Nuffield type questions is by no means easy. But without the constant efforts to produce good Nuffield type questions, everything will ran counter to the intention of the Project.