Measuring transformative modeling: A framework of formatively assessing students' deep conceptual understanding in physical sciences

Ji Shen, Ou Lydia Liu, Hsin Yi Chang

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Measuring students' conceptual understanding can provide important information for learning and teaching. Many formative assessment approaches elicit students' prior knowledge without identifying the sources of their misconceptions. This proposal presents a framework that guides the development of formative assessment to measure student understanding of physical science topics using three types of connections. Particularly, we assess how students link physical states, processes and mechanism, integrate different scientific models, and connect scientific knowledge to everyday experience. Based on this framework, we construct sample items on sinking and floating and piloted the items with 18 preservice middle grades science teachers. Analyses of student responses to these sample items provide evidence of the effectiveness of the framework in extracting information valuable to improve learning and instruction. Criteria and implications of using this formative assessment framework in science classrooms are then discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages137-144
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
Event9th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2010 - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: 2010 Jun 292010 Jul 2

Other

Other9th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period2010/06/292010/07/02

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)
  • Education

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