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Using Poster Sessions as an Alternative to Written Examination—The Poster Exam

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Robert Marino

Department of Physics, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY 10021

Sandra Clarkson

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY 10021

Pamela A. Mills and William V. Sweeney

Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY 10021

Stephen DeMeo

Department of Chemistry, York College, CUNY, Jamaica, NY 11433

J. Chem. Educ., 2000, 77 (9), p 1158

DOI: 10.1021/ed077p1158

Publication Date (Web): September 1, 2000

Abstract

Poster sessions are effective communication tools common at scientific meetings. The adaptations of poster sessions to the classroom have been reported to be effective evaluation and learning tools in chemistry and other disciplines. However, poster sessions have never been used to replace a standard hourly exam. We report here the use of a poster session as an oral examination in our introductory Integrated Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics course for entering freshmen. The poster exam replaces one traditional, in-class written examination, providing an alternate method of student assessment. Students' communication and organizational skills, their depth of knowledge of a particular topic, and their conceptual understanding of the topic are probed by the poster exam. Students report that the poster exam is more enjoyable and a more effective learning tool than traditional exams.