Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: Formative Assessment Probes Robert Sparks NOAO October 13th, 2007

Pinon PRISE Teacher Workshop October 13th, 2007 What is Formative Assessment? Used to find out what students know and think throughout an instructional sequence Used to adjust and monitor learning Tracks whether conceptual change is occurring See if students retain previous knowledge TEST

Pinon PRISE Teacher Workshop October 13th, 2007 Types of Formative Assessment Individual, small group or class questions Student interviews Observations Informal Conversations Journaling Performance Tasks Tests and quizzes (maybe!)

Pinon PRISE Teacher Workshop October 13th, 2007 What Makes it Formative Assessment? Formative Assessment is used to Modify the curriculum Alter teaching Provide feedback to students

Pinon PRISE Teacher Workshop October 13th, 2007 Let’s Try A Couple… Is It Melting? Check the boxes on the items you would define as “melting” Write a rule or reasoning that you used to guide your decisions

Pinon PRISE Teacher Workshop October 13th, 2007 The Wet Jeans Sam washed his favorite pair of jeans. He hung up the wet jeans on a clothesline. An hour later the jeans were dry. What happened to the water?