Using Diagnostic Tests to Evaluate Student Understanding

How do you know that your students are learning and understanding the physics you have set out to teach them? This session will guide participants through a set of research-based diagnostic tests, the Force Concept Inventory (FCI), the Mechanics Baseline Test (MBT), and the Test of Understanding Graphs in Kinematics (TUGK) that can inform your students of their understanding of fundamental Newtonian mechanics as well as inform you on the effectiveness of your teaching practice. Over the years, I have used the results of these diagnostic tests to improve my own practices by using the results from physics education research. By refining my teaching practices, I have seen a steady increase in scores for my students. I will shed light on what seems to have worked best in improving learning and understanding.

Glenn Wagner has been a physics and science teacher with the Upper Grand District School Board for 22 years. He is constantly trying new ways to increase student thinking and understanding through co-operative and collaborative teaching. And the kids really like it too! He is currently completing his Ph. D. at OISE in the area of knowledge building and collaborative on-line learning.