| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Preparing Undergraduate and Graduate Students - And the Faculty Who Prepare Them - For Materials Careers (A Symposium Held in the Memory and Honor of Elizabeth Judson)
|
| Presentation Title |
Assessing Student Learning with Oral Exams in a Graduate Thermodynamics Course |
| Author(s) |
Susan P. Gentry |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Susan P. Gentry |
| Abstract Scope |
Oral exams are an old assessment method with renewed interest in the educational literature. The oral format prompts students to explain and justify their solutions rather than simply solve written problems. Prior work has found that, when implemented carefully, oral assessments can serve as supportive learning opportunities. This talk will describe how oral quizzes have been integrated into a graduate materials thermodynamics course. Students individually solved quiz problems and then presented their solutions in a meeting with the instructor. The instructor gained insight into the depth of the student’s knowledge, such as their ability to rationalize their work or easily correct errors. Additionally, the student gained experience on oral assessments, which are a significant challenge of the preliminary exam for the graduate program. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |