In this inquiry activity you will design an evaluation plan for the mini-unit you devleoped earlier in the chapter. The evaluation plan should include informal, semi- and formal methods, as well as a description of a student portfolio for the mini-unit.

Materials

A completed science mini-unit.

Procedures

1. Design a pre-assessment designed help you identify student's views of the major cognitions of your mini-unit. The pre-assessment can be a series of survey questions, an activity the student performs and has to write about, a demonstration you perform followed by student response in writing, or small group discussion.

2. Design asssessent items for each intended learning outcome in your mini-unit. You should develop assessment measures for cognitions, cognitive skills, affects and psychomotor skills.

3. Describe the elements of student portfolio. The portfolio should include a list of the documents and materials that you will require students to collect in their portfolio. Describe the criteria you will use to evaluate the student's portfolio.

4. What informal and semi formal methods of assessment will you use? Describe any observation instruments, and specific strategies you will will employ.

Minds On Strategies

1. The following is an evaluation plan that was included in a ninth grade physical science course.

Grading Scale and Citeria

25% Quizzes 92-100 A

20% Tests 83-91 B

10% Final Exam 74-82 C

45% Lab/Class/Vocabulary Activities 70-73 D

0-69 F

What is you assessement of this evaluation plan? How does it compare with the plan you have developed?

2. The evaluation plan described in question 1 above is a typical approach used in secondary science classrooms. What are the strengths of this plan? What are the weaknesses? What changes would you recommend this teacher make in the assessment plan?