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.
