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Department Concerns . Our majors and other studentsCouldn't distinguish correlational from causal claims in scientific literature OR the popular pressCouldn't distinguish descriptive, predictive, and explanatory questionsDidn't truly understand the Scientific Method. Identified Scientific Thi
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1. Using formative and summative assessment to systematically develop scientific thinking Jon Mueller
Professor of Psychology
North Central College
http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu
2. Department Concerns Our majors and other students
Couldnt distinguish correlational from causal claims in scientific literature OR the popular press
Couldnt distinguish descriptive, predictive, and explanatory questions
Didnt truly understand the Scientific Method
3. Identified Scientific Thinking Outcomes E.g.,
Identify scientific questions
Distinguish between descriptive, predictive, and explanatory questions
Evaluate and apply congruency between scientific question, methodology, and conclusion
Identify errors, biases, and distortions
4. Created Department Test Scientific Thinking Assessment
Rubrics
Aligned with outcomes
Piloted in 2006-07/Administered in 2007-08
Mean score = 64.5%
5. Embed Skills in Curriculum Began with Intro Psych
Shift to scientific literacy focus
More formally 2007-08
Identified skills to emphasize at 100-level
E.g., correlation or causation?
6. PSY 100: Curricular Design Introduce scientific thinking skills
Describe/illustrate/discuss
Formative assessments
Research and popular press articles
Evaluate claims and evidence
7. Good Skill Development Instruction/modeling
Practice
Feedback
Reflection
8. Formative Assessments: Grading
(+)/(-) (+) = good faith effort
Adapted from Barbara Walvoord
90% (+) = 60 pts
80% (+) = 48 pts
70% (+) = 36 pts
Quick to score / lots of practice
9. Summative Assessments Brief paper assignments
Exam essay questions
Capturing real-world situations
10. Adapt to 200 Level Social Psychology course
Used brief assignments
Same skills with more sophisticated material
Skills introduced in 100 more developed
11. Future Plans Adapt model to other 200-level courses
Expand to 300/400-level courses
Use assessment data to continuously inform instruction and curriculum
12. ? Questions For Me?
Jon Mueller
jfmueller@noctrl.edu
Slides:
http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/aacu08.ppt
13. Questions For You