Q4B Concept Inventories | Questions For Biology Listed below are the Concept Inventories that are being developed by various members of the Q4B team. For information regarding specific inventories, click on the links to read the rationale behind development, how many questions have been – or will be – developed, the anticipated development timeframe until the inventory is ready for use, and any other inventory-specific information such as important teaching notes/guides. We encourage interested instructors from tertiary institutions to get in touch with team members to obtain concept inventories for use in their classes; in all cases, we ask instructors to send messages to the individuals who have worked on the inventories in which they are interested. Validated Concept Inventories (for which complete packages can be provided) 1: Biological Experimental Design Concept Inventory (BEDCI) 2: Meiosis 3: Population Dynamics 4: Speciation 5: Statistical Reasoning in Biology Concept Inventory (SRBCI) 6: Transcription and Translation 1: Adaptation
Authentic Assessment Toolbox Home Page to the Authentic Assessment Toolbox, a how-to text on creating authentic tasks, rubrics, and standards for measuring and improving student learning. Inside, you will find chapters on A good place to start -- In this chapter I identify the characteristics, strengths and limitations of authentic assessment; compare and contrast it with traditional (test-based) assessment. Why has authentic assessment become more popular in recent years? After a brief overview, follow a detailed, four-step process for creating an authentic assessment. All good assessment begins with standards: statements of what we want our students to know and be able to do. Authentic assessments are often called "tasks" because they include real-world applications we ask students to perform. To assess the quality of student work on authentic tasks, teachers develop rubrics, or scoring scales. A guide to constructing good, multiple-choice tests, to complement your authentic assessments Wonder what a term means? Jon's Book
Designing and Aligning Assessments for Next Generation Science Standards Designing and Aligning Assessments for Next Generation Science Standards DATE: July 15, 2014 TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. HOST: NASBE COST: Free This webinar is now on-demand! Watch the full event here. The National Research Council recently released a report called Developing Assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards that outlines an approach to developing science assessments that align to the vision of standards such as Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Join NASBE July 15, 2014, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm (EDT), for a webinar with the Learning Science Research Institute’s Jim Pellegrino to explore ways to develop and implement a system of assessments designed to support teachers’ instruction, monitor learning on a broad scale, and identify ways students can learn science. Designing and Aligning Assessments for NGSS Presentation
Systems 1: Simple Machines © 2012 Clipart.com Purpose To explore the parts of a system and develop students’ understanding of the interactions between those parts. To engage in troubleshooting and design related to systems. Context This lesson is the first of a two-part series on systems. Elementary students tend to believe that a system must be doing something in order to be a system or that a system that loses a part of itself is still the same system. In Systems 1: Simple Machines, students take a closer look at a variety of simple hardware devices. Systems 2: Systems, Up, Up and Away! Planning Ahead Preview the online activities used in this lesson and gather required materials (listed on the websites): Motivation Before starting the Motivation, distribute the Gadget Breakdown student sheet. Visit the Exploring Leonardo website, designed by Boston's Museum of Science for the Science Learning Network, with your students. Development What does this part help the device do? Have students share their findings. Assessment
Pocket Heart on the App Store Assessment in Action :: Assessments CAASPP - California Assessment of Performance and Progress California's Plan The new science assessment is known as CAST: California Science Test. You Can Be Involved! CDE is recruiting classroom science teachers to participate in item writing, item review, and other science assessment development activities. Field Test Assessment - Spring 2018 In the spring of 2018 all LEAs will administer the field test version of the CAST and the second year pilot of the CAAS as part of the 2017-18 CAASPP administration. California's Plan to Comply with Federal Regulations (ESEA) for 2017/18 Last year (for the 2016/17 school year), CDE successfully obtained a one-year waiver from federal testing regulations relating to the administration of a science assessment from the U.S. The plan details how California will comply with the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Field Test Details and Resources Testing Window: The field test will be available for LEAs on April 2, 2018. Updates from CDE
STEAM Resources and Activities for the Music Classroom STEAM Resources and Activities for the Music Classroom STEAM learning involves the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math to solve real-world problems. It is an educational approach that encourages learning for learning’s sake. STEAM lessons incorporate a cross-disciplinary approach and integrate the engineering design process to solve complex problems. Student teamwork and creativity play an important role. This article on the Six Characteristics of a Great STEM Lesson and the STEAM Education section on the Education Closet website both provide excellent information for those of you wanting to know more about the basics of STEAM. STEAM Resources & Activities for Music Teachers In music lessons, the science of sound, instrument-making, exploring pitch, and visualising sound provide perfect areas of study for students. Download a copy of the resources mentioned in this episode Would you like to take a copy of this with you? Click here to download
Interactives archive: Biology Anatomy of ChildbirthReview the three stages of having a baby as well as some of the risks women face. Anatomy of the CoelacanthThis survivor from the age of dinosaurs has body parts found in no other living creature. Anatomy of a CrocExamine a Nile crocodile and see what makes this amazing reptile tick. Anatomy of a HiveInvestigate the physical, behavioral, and social infrastructure inside a bees' nest. Anatomy of Photo 51When you know how to look at it, this shadowy X-ray photograph speaks volumes about the shape of DNA. Bacteria TalkIn this interview, Bassler describes the 600 species of bacteria on your teeth each morning, and much more. Brain GeographyLearn how to model a brain and find out more about the cerebellum, spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebral cortex. Build a SteroidFollow the steps a chemist takes to synthesize a disease-fighting drug. Classifying LifeWhat do a polar bear and a sea cucumber have in common? Coelacanth QuizDoes this fish lay eggs? Guess What's Coming to Dinner?