Lesson Plan Assessment Review

Biochemical pathways

The above link shows  a lesson plan in which the students have to get into groups, and each student must draw a biochemical pathway. Then, the group compiles their ideas into one big drawing. One person from the group presents the final drawing. By the end, the students need to be able to answer critical thinking questions about the biochemical pathway. By forcing the students to answer critical thinking questions, you are forcing them to think on a higher level than a typical multiple choice test. Since there are no answers provided, the student must comprehend the biochemical pathway and not just recognize the correct answer. Plus, this lesson allows for an alternative method of testing and teaching which is usually more enjoyable to the students. The drawing will clearly show the students' hard work while the explanation shows their true understanding of the subject.

"Take me to the stars" 

This is a really neat assessment in which the students create a constellation and, together, make a planetarium-like structure. The teacher then uses this planetarium to test the students on their knowledge of the constellations. This way students can be tested on the location of the constellations and about any relevant facts related to the constellations in a less stressful environment. Achievement and understanding can be measured through the answers the students provide and the participation in the class discussion.

Assessment Links

http://www.ntlf.com/html/lib/bib/assess.htm
The above link provides a great definition of classroom assessment. It also provides a convenient table of different assessments and a summary of what they are, what to do with them, and time needed. This link provides us with eight different ways to assess learning

http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/assessing/asindex.htm
While the above link is meant for assessing language-based classes, I believe it could apply to more than just language. It divides assessments into two categories: tradition tests and alternative assessments. Both of these categories can be applied to any class.

http://www.msche.org/publications/Assessment_Expectations051222081842.pdf
Unlike the other two sites, this one doesn't spend much time talking about different methods of assessment but instead focuses on what assessing is. It provides the characteristics of the assessment process which is important to know when creating assessments.