Test Question Templates

For many years, I struggled with a common teaching dilemma: how can I help my undergraduate students practice and perform analytical thinking within the confines of traditional high-stakes tests?

In 2019, with the help of colleagues Ben Wiggins (University of Washington) and Kiki Jenkins (Arizona State University), I had a breakthrough idea -- a framework that would help my students prepare for interesting, complex test questions without giving away the exact questions or answers.

We call the framework Test Question Templates, or TQTs for short.

Our first peer-reviewed paper on TQTs is this:

• Gregory J. Crowther, Benjamin L. Wiggins, and Lekelia D. Jenkins (2020). Testing in the age of active learning: Test Question Templates help to align activities and assessments. HAPS Educator 24(1): 74-81.

And here are some other sources of information about TQTs:

• YouTube video (emphasizing connections between learning objectives and learning activities): Test Question Templates: an introduction. August 3, 2020.


• Blog entry (emphasizing metacognition): Cracking the code of biology tests: let's get metacognitive! Scientist Sees Squirrel [blog], June 1, 2020.


• Podcast (emphasizing student practice): Test Question Templates Help Students Learn. TAPP Radio, Episode 70, June 2, 2020.

I welcome any and all questions and comments about TQTs! Feel free to email me at gcrowther AT everettcc DOT com.