Session 09

Using Concept Inventories to Systematically Evaluate Students’ Level of Understanding for Important Course Content

A concept inventory is a criterion-reference test designed to evaluate whether a student has gained mastery over a specific set of concepts. By approaching the assessment of concept retention in a multi-directional manner, we can ensure students’ full comprehension and weed out misconceptions. "Nearly 80% of physics students could state Newton's 3rd law at the beginning of their course, but FCI data showed that less than 15% of them fully understood it at the end" (Hestenes, 1998). With the use of strategic concept questions, that have multiple items to address a single course focus, teachers will be able to track their own student’s data, in a clear way, which allows for greater interpretability, making the data extremely useful in ’next-steps’ teaching. The data assessment allows teachers to effectively track their students' gains in understanding and obtain insights to their students' comprehension, further identifying scientific misconceptions. In addition to providing participants with concept inventory tests, this workshop will also cover how to integrate concept questions for active engagement.

Biography

Saara Naudts has been teaching physics in the Peel District School Board since 2004. She is passionate about learning: whether it is growing as teacher by implementing strategies based on PER (physics education research), learning new developments in science, or integrating technology in the classroom, watching her students be successful is her goal. In her spare time she loves competing in triathlon, being the volunteer coordinator for the Canadian Cross Training Club (C3), and coaching.
"Practice with emotion and purpose, perform with passion and confidence."

Greg Macdonald has taught Physics and Grade 9 and 10 Science for the past 14 years, first at St. Catharines Collegiate and more recently at Laura Secord Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ontario. In addition to attending the OAPT conference (almost) every year, Greg attended the Perimeter Institute EinsteinPlus conference in 2008 and is currently a member of the Ontario Teacher Associates network for Perimeter. Greg's other interests include astronomy, swimming and trying with limited success to convince his three daughters to become science geeks like Dad.