Dr. Naziha Ali, Director Training & Development, Professional Development Initiative (PDI) at the Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE) facilitated a highly interactive workshop for Subject Matter Heads of the Beaconhouse School System Head Office in Lahore. This workshop, organised in collaboration with Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), focused on the theme of constructing effective multiple choice questions or MCQs for the purpose of in-house assessments.
Around 35 participants who were experienced heads of various departments partook the thought-provoking training that built upon their existing knowledge. Participants were introduced to a current cognitive framework stemming from ‘Bloom’s Taxonomy’ that was then applied to existing Multiple Choice questionnaires that teachers in various Beaconhouse schools had developed.
The 7-hour intensive workshop concluded with participants writing their own question items, discussing the structure against the taxonomic framework and collaborating with peers to provide each other feedback using the cognitive framework.
Test writing and assessment development is an area of critical importance in learner and teacher development. It is commendable that well-known institutions are initiating professional development in this area and contributing to learner development beyond ‘test-taking’ strategies through well-rehearsed techniques. The Professional Development Initiative at SOE is proud to partner for such initiatives where a positive difference is being made in the educational sphere in Pakistan.
