True or False
True or False is a specific type of Spotlight Assessment Activity.
When using True or False statements, these can be ‘closed’ (i.e. they have a definite answer) or ‘open’ (i.e. the answer is an opinion and, therefore, up for debate). Both can be of value to the teaching and learning process.
In designing True or False statements, it can be useful to consider the misconceptions that students often have about particular content, writing statements to target these directly.
At their best, statements should require a degree of cognitive struggle balanced against a realistic chance of success. By doing so, they should generate ‘desirable thinking’ - not too easy; not too difficult.
Examples:
0.066 is the same as 66%.
Green is a primary colour.
When nails get rusty, they get heavier.
Two of the angles in an isosceles triangle will always be the same size.
A carbon dioxide molecule contains the same number of atoms as a water molecule.
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?