Test banks?

[kdlady1]

hey
I was just wondering if your chapter has/had test &note banks. I'm looking to start one for my chapter because I'm the academic chair, but how do other chapters view these? I think they're fine, but I'm worried about sharing tests and possible repercussions. Also, my chapter doesn't have a house--any suggestions?

[knight_shadow]

Online test bank?

[kdlady1]

thats a lottt of pages to have to scan in! haha but could work

[33girl]

One of our chapters got in trouble (by the school, not by HQ) for having one. I personally see nothing wrong with it and I've even seen HQs who advocated it.

I would look through your school's and sorority's conduct code and make sure neither is against it. If you're in doubt, don't.

[knight_shadow]

Maybe break it up among sisters over time.

My alma mater had multiple scanners in our main computer lab, so we had the ability to get a lot of items scanned in a relatively short period of time. You could also check to see if your school has printers that will do the scanning for you and email the results.

Another option -- put them into binders (by subject) and have your VP of Academics/Scholatics hold onto them until someone needs a specific test/study sheet.

[LouisaMay]

I am on the faculty of a major university, and I have to say on our end these "banks" are definitely looked down upon. However, I am in the interesting position of being a sorority volunteer who works toward supporting scholarship within 12 of our chapters. Rather than keeping actual tests and notes (which seems sketchy and not all that helpful since notes are so highly personalized), I encourage my chapters to keep lists of sisters who have taken certain courses or studied under certain professors, as well as lists of women who feel prepared to tutor or offer advice in specific subjects/fields. Sisters can consult this resource, look up a professor, and ask another sister what kinds of questions that professor likes to use in a final exam, for example.

[clarinette]

Originally Posted by LouisaMay

I am on the faculty of a major university, and I have to say on our end these "banks" are definitely looked down upon. However, I am in the interesting position of being a sorority volunteer who works toward supporting scholarship within 12 of our chapters. Rather than keeping actual tests and notes (which seems sketchy and not all that helpful since notes are so highly personalized), I encourage my chapters to keep lists of sisters who have taken certain courses or studied under certain professors, as well as lists of women who feel prepared to tutor or offer advice in specific subjects/fields. Sisters can consult this resource, look up a professor, and ask another sister what kinds of questions that professor likes to use in a final exam, for example.

That sounds like a wonderful idea!

[kdlady1]

That sounds like a really good idea I'll definitely start compiling these lists! thanks so much

[katydidKD]

Originally Posted by kdlady1

That sounds like a really good idea I'll definitely start compiling these lists! thanks so much

HQ has EXCELLENT ideas/resources regarding academic programming. Personally, I think some of their ideas are better than the old test banks (obviously it all depends on your chapter and what works.) I think if you get on the 24/7 Cabinet and do some searching you'll find excellent ideas of things that have worked for other Chapters for academics.

As far as test banks, I don't see why it is a problem as long as the material is not stolen/acquired in a shady way. If a prof hands back tests and says you can keep them, it then becomes your property, right? But, I don't think they are the most effective way of encouraging good academics. Lists of sisters who took classes and did well in them and can help > old notes/tests that may not even be relevant anymore to the class you are taking

[katydidKD]

Another random thing--- use a google doc for the Chapter (this way you dont have to compile a list, saves you a few hours) to have everyone sign up with what classes they are taking for the semester. That way, girls who are in different sections of the same class can study together/share notes/etc.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by LouisaMay

I am on the faculty of a major university, and I have to say on our end these "banks" are definitely looked down upon.

That can depend on the school and the academic department. When I was in law school, the law school library maintained the test bank for all law professors. Every single professor would advise us to look over his or her old tests as part of our studying.

[LatinaAlumna]

^True. Some professors don't mind if you keep your graded exam once you have reviewed it because they change their questions every term. If the professor let me keep my test, I saw it as fair game to show it to a sister who might be in the class the following term. In my experience, professors who didn't change up their test questions would either 1) never give students access to their graded exams (just posted up scores) or 2) make students immediately return graded exams once they were reviewed in class.

[katydidKD]

^Exactly. Thats why I don't get why test banks are seen as bad/wrong. As long as it isn't stolen. If the professor doesn't want their exams floating around they need to collect them, and if someone steals it that is a whole different animal. It is the students property if you hand it to them to keep.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

The issue is that some students have access to them, and not others. IMO, the best thing professors can do is just make their old exams available to everyone.

[GreekGirley]

If a teacher gives back tests, there's nothing wrong with cataloging them somewhere. Just be sure that when members submit these tests/papers for cataloging, the teacher has given them permission to take them out of the classroom. Once a teacher gives permission for them to be taken out of the classroom, it's fair game. Just make sure you have clear lessons on what the true meaning of plagarism is!!