Comprehension

When designing exams, I like questions that really test comprehension rather than merely the ability to paraphrase the literature. Often however, students perceive such questions as “unfair” as they feel that they have studied hard yet find themselves graded down “because of one word”. Still, when that word is the difference between “explaining” (Erklären) and “understanding” (Verstehen) as it was for my political science students back in September, it matters a great deal. 

This time around with the social work students, I have a question about possible alternatives to New Public Management and what limitations these alternatives in turn may have. Despite that I discuss this at length in one of my pre-recorded lectures, it seems that many students have struggled with this question and I fear there will be quite a backlash from the student collective. At the same time, being a university teacher cannot be a popularity contest.