How do biology students in the UK compare to Malaysia? Momna Hejmadi and Yvonne Ong Dept. Biology & Biochemistry University of Bath

Teaching and learning For teachers, summative assessment marks the end of the teaching-learning period. However, students often view the assessment at the beginning. From a student's perspective, "assessment always defines the actual curriculum"

Cultural contexts East? West?

If this is the case, then why….. ….do Asian students outperform their Western peers?

Assessments Teachers summative assessment marks the end of the teaching- learning period. Students often view the assessment at the beginning. From a student's perspective, "assessment always defines the actual curriculum" Ramsden 1992

Assessment and learning Surface learning or deeper learning? OR

Retention of key concepts in biology Study aim To provide a preliminary quantitative analysis on the longer-term retention of concepts in biology among 17 year olds in the UK and Malaysia.

Methodology AS-level students in the two countries were tested on GCSE content one year later GCSE grade - baseline GCSE content retention after 1 year Basic concept questions from the exam paper (N=52-63 students /country) GCSE 2012 Biology SPM 2012 Biology

Assessment structure GCSE assessment Modular (2012) SPM assessment Linear (2012) B1, B2, B3 SPM Biology

No difference in the number of students in both countries who dropped a grade Findings

But Malaysian students maintained their grades better than UK students Findings

Fewer Malaysian students dropped more than 2 grades Findings

Malaysian students retained content better, with 70% of the students either maintaining or dropping one grade 70% of UK students showed a decline by one or two grades, suggesting strategic learning Overall findings

High achievers in Malaysia (A* and A students) maintained their grades better than their UK counterparts Further analyses

Lower achievers in the UK (B and below) maintained their grades better than their Malaysian counterparts Further analyses

UK students achieved a mean post-test score of 72% in contrast to 49% obtained by Malaysian students But overall grades were lower among Malaysian students GradesMalaysiaUK Overall4972 A*/A+ and A6173 A*/A+ to B5772 B and below4270 Mean scores of the post-test in Malaysia and UK, compared to their initial examination grades

Use identical exam question papers in both countries Independent assessment of conceptual understanding Next steps

Does bite-sized’, modular education encourage strategic learning? Interesting questions raised

Should we have more linear, end-of- year or programme assessments? Questions for us?

Thank you