Research on Improving Teaching in Science

url: http://www.msta-mich.org/index.php/publications/journalArticle/20

Title:

Improving Science Teaching and Student Achievement through Embedded Assessment

 

Abstract

Assessment serves many purposes. According the National Science Education Standards, assessment can be used to evaluate students, teachers, curricula, and programs, and to guide teachers' instructional decisions. They are using assessment, specifically embedded assessment, as a tool that teachers can use to become more effective in helping their students understand and be able to apply science knowledge.

Its potential is to improve teaching effectiveness, classroom learning environments, and students' understanding of science. It also assist teachers in learning how to use embedded assessment as a tool for increasing students' understanding of science.

What is "Embedded Assessment"?

1. Continuous, ongoing, and classroom-based assessment

2. It helps teachers to gain insight into their students' ideas and reasoning about the subject matter content that is included in the curriculum

3. Helps them to determine adjustments needed in their teaching to help a wide range of students develop the understanding and capability to apply science knowledge

This strategy suggests that teachers can:

1. Collect information on students' ideas and reasoning (including naivee conceptions or misconceptions),

2. Interpret the meaning and significance of students' current understanding (said another way, they must "make sense of" the information from students), and

3. Determine the next instructional steps needed to advance them toward the intended instructional objective.

Benefits from Using Embedded Assessment

• The quality of interactions between teachers and students improves

• There is an improvement in the classroom environment including diminished behavior problems

• Engagement of students in learning increases

• Interactions among students are more positive

• Understanding of science and science achievement increases

• Students become more positive about science and science class

From the research above, "embedded assessment" can be use to teach effectively the subject of science.

Summary of Activity for Concept of Force

The Game of Physics is used to assessed students performances. On this game, students are asked to put timer bombs around the screen to ensure that the 'box' will drop onto the floor. The less bomb they used, the less marks will be deducted. Each level of games increases with different dificulty level.

The activity is for all students, both who are a high achiever and low achiever. On this activity, each students can be assessed on their:
1. Thinking Skills,
2. Understanding Level, and
3. Creativity Skills.

All skills can be assessed through the level of games that they can play.

For 'MUST DO' level, LEVEL 1 is the lowest basic level for all students where every one of them can do.

For 'SHOULD DO' level, LEVEL 2-4 is the average level where middle-achiever students can try and can do on.

LEVEL 4 and above is for High Achiever students where they require thinking and analysing. This is the 'COULD DO' level.

Mind Map for Cubic Disturbance Activity

Activity for Concept of FORCE

Online Physics Games

Curriculum for PND Mechanical Science

Unit Code                PND/MRN/CR/MSC

Unit Title                 Mechanical Science (MSC)

Unit Status             Core

Unit Value              1.0                               

Learning Time       120 Hours

Pre-requisite         None

Exemptions           None

Aims of the Unit

1      To develop, through theory, practical  and assignment, an understanding of  the fundamental mechanical  science concepts which will provide a basis for further studies in Engineering and application into day to day engineering problem solving

                               

2      To develop a basic knowledge of the concepts of statics, dynamics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics and apply these concepts to practical situations

Teaching and Learning Strategies

1      Good safety practices will be emphasised through out the unit and  the students will be made fully aware of the hazards associated with laboratory work

2      Practical/laboratory work, through assignments covering both the specifics topics and integrated areas, will be the means of achieving a significant proportion of the objectives.  In carrying out such work the students will be made aware of the value of accurate recording of observations and data

3      Industrial visits will be encouraged to facilitate the understanding and learning processes

4      Suitable audio visual aids will be used to support lectures

Assessment Scheme

Assessment will be in accordance with the current BDTVEC Certification & Assessment Policy Guidelines.  The weighting of the assessments will be as follows:

Assessment	Skill  Area	Weightage
·         Test 1	200 – 201	40 %
·         Test 2	202 – 203	40 %
·         Lab. Work/assignment	200 –  203	20 %

Unit Structure

This Unit Guide is for use by students and teachers as a reference guide.  It is organized into Skill Areas, which consist of:

1      Performance Objectives, which state the skill to be acquired

2      Enabling Objectives, which are the elements of skill a student must acquire to perform the Performance Objective competently

3      Performance Standards, which identify the minimum performance a student must demonstrate

for any given performance objective

Suggested Reading

1      W. Embleton, Reed’s heat and Heat Engines for Engineers

2      Reed’s Applied Mechanics for Engineers

3      R. G Meadows, Technician Engineering Science 1

4   R.G Meadows, Technician Engineering Science 2

Syllabus for PND Mechanical Science

SKILL AREAS

STATICS
1	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of equilibrium of forces on particles and rigid bodies
2	Demonstrate an understanding of the forces experienced due to applied load on common materials
DYNAMICS
1	Demonstrate  an understanding of the concepts of kinematics
2	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of kinetics
THERMODYNAMICS
1	Demonstrate an understanding of the units and common terms
2	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of thermodynamics and energy
3	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of pure substance
FLUID MECHANICS
1	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of fluids at rest
2	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of fluids in motion