'Describe one assessment tool you would use in the Biology classroom – examples of good practice.'
According to the syllabus the Patterns in nature module dives deep into the genetics of what students should already have a grasp of the understand, (only if their previous teachers actually did their jobs properly). If all had gone according to plan then i would do exactly what i did on my previous prac. i found that in order for them to actually get back into the focus topic, i tested them with a set of question including definitions, multiple choice and short answer. As students tend to get nervous and worried before a test i would surprise them with this "Assumed knowledge revision sheet". Definitions including gene, DNA, chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis etc. From this i would give them the same quiz later on in the module, but without them knowing therefore they would be able to see their progress, and i too would be able to track their understanding. Its funny to see how students become quite impressed with their progress, as for those who 'fail' to do well...... i guess there is always next year (just kidding). I find multiple choice is a quick and easy way to see students' progression and to see what (as a class) they struggle (either due to my teaching or their intelligence level :)).
MC is easy to mark as well therefore they can get feedback sooner. In this module a lot of diagrams are needed therefore i would expect them to be able to complete diagrams within their "assumed knowledge revision sheets". There are great resources out there and i was quite fortunate in that my colleague teacher gave me a lot of material.
There are so many assessment tools out there finding the right one of the unique class is the challenge, but MC never has failed me as of yet.
I think multiple choice and Revision sheets are a good way of assessing students formatively, but what about students copying each other? That's what concerns me with MC, students wouldn't want to seem stupid, especially with a new teacher, but i'm probably not giving students enough credit...Anonymous edmodo quiz maybe? That'd mean less marking and students could be less worried about getting the 'wrong answers'.
ReplyDeleteYeah thats true andrew, but what i found was i would to my best to kind of separate them and thats when clasroom management comes into it i think. Edmodo would be good but whats to stop them from interacting with each other while they do the quiz? At uni i remember my friends and i use to get together and do the quizzes together.
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