I’m sitting here while my students are taking their midterm and I feel the tension in the room. I could cut it with a knife. For lack of something to do I’ve decided to watch them. Watching someone take a test is like watching them in a private moment. They are not connected to this class. They are not aware of their surroundings. This allows me to watch, to peek at them when they are unaware or unconcerned that others are watching. Their facial expressions and their every thought is displayed across their face. I can even tell when they are having a problem with a question….oh, there goes one right now. I see her confused expression….and there goes her hand. (Be right back) So back to my watching, it’s almost obscene the way I observe them. I can’t help it. I am intrigued by their thought process. Is it wrong to sit them down in front of me to “perform” in this way for my own observations? Of course not. They are gaining their education and I am gaining insight.
Perhaps I can predetermine grade ranges based on how they react to the test. Interesting…
