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Teaching Children Science: A Project-Based Approach, 2/e

Joe Krajcik, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Charlene Czerniak, University of Toledo
Carl Berger, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Why Do We Assess Students in Science?

WHAT ARE THE PITFALLS OF TRADITIONAL TESTING?

Materials Needed:

Traditional textbooks and accompanying commercial tests


1		Reread Scenario 1 at the beginning of this chapter. Make a list with two columns labeled Traditional -assessments and Contemporary assessments. Under each of these headings, make two additional columns labeled Advantages and Disadvantages. Identify as many advantages and disadvantages as you can for each type of assessment.



2		With a few classmates, compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Make a list of what you all agree are the most important advantages and disadvantages. How do the advantages of each category help students learn, help teachers administer assessment, help parents understand student progress, and help students understand their own progress?



3		Discuss whether the advantages of today's assessment techniques outweigh the disadvantages. How can the disadvantages be overcome?



4		Examine the commercial tests that accompany a -traditional elementary or middle grade textbook. How many of the following can you find in the tests or assessments? A variety of testing formats including whole class, small group, and individual A variety of formats including artifacts, teacher observations, essays, student-produced products, student self-evaluation, and concept maps Assessment throughout the learning process Measurement of higher-level cognitive outcomes Measurement of skills Monitoring of affective outcomes Student monitoring of his or her own progress and time to continue to learn content until it is mastered Measurement of relationships, the nature of -science, critical thinking, problem solving, and -interrelationships between school science and life outside of school Measurement of student understanding of the subconcepts within the test Feedback beyond a letter grade or percentage score



5		As a classroom teacher, what steps would you need to take to make a traditional test accompanying a textbook series more valid in its assessment method?



6		Record your thoughts in your portfolio.

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