Learning is Active

Grade Level: 9-12 Subject: Biology Sub-Subject: Assessments Length/Duration: Varies Technologies Used: Google Docs [1], Aniboom [2], Toondoo [3], Windows Movie Maker, Picasa[4]

Traditional and Technology Based Assessments Any of the following assessments may be used at the end or during a unit of study based on a scientific process such as photosynthesis, infection of a cell by a virus, mitosis, etc.

Lesson Plan Non-Technology Based Assessments Story Narrative: Students develop a story to describe the specific scientific process. A word bank may be provided to direct students toward the use of academic language. Storyboard: Poster-like task where students create picture frames to exhibit the scientific process with descriptive captions included. Flip-Book: Students can staple a stack of recycled paper together and use progressive illustrations to demonstrate the given scientific process. Technology-Based Assessments Various website and technology based resources. Free Animation Creator: Aniboom [5] This website can be used to create simple animations using various shapes and animation effects. There is a web-tutorial for easy training on how to use the shapeshifter application. Aniboom Animation on DNA Translation [6] Aniboom Animation on Genetic Modification [7]] Digital Photography and MovieMaker: Students can utilize their photography and video editing skills to demonstrate a process. Students create mini-movies reminiscent of claymation or even a slideshow that illustrates a process. Windows movie-maker is a simple, easy to use video editing program that is capable of allowing creative production of slideshows and movies with sound and animation effects. (example below) You Tube Video of Student Created Movie using digital photography, photo editing with Picasa[8] and Windows Movie Maker Biology Content: Comparative Anatomy of Human and Sheep Brain using internet images of human brain and comparing them to in-class dissection images of sheep brain. You Tube Link [9] Google Docs [10]: A group assessment can be done through Google Docs on any subject for a unit of study. Students should be given guidelines for the structure of the assessment but they may be allowed to be as creative as they would like as a group. Google Docs allows a group of students to edit a presentation simultaneously enabling all group members to contribute their own understanding, interpretation and creativity.The following is a student created Google Docs Assessment for a unit of study on HIV. The end of unit assessment includes the biological content as well the social context for the disease. Students were able to represent their understanding of the mechanism of viral infection of a cell by designing, drawing and scanning an image of their drug treatment as well as relating the content to the real-life application of the necessity for further development of treatment for the disease by investigating the social aspects related to the disease around the world. Student Example of Technology Based Assessment: Click on link for PDF version of student Comic Strip Creation: Free comic strip creator at Toondoo [11] where students can create a free account to create a comic strip to illustrate a process. The design possiblities are endless here with everything from creating a comic where an expert can talk and use props to illustrate a process to a place where students can create their own doodle or upload images to insert into a comic.

References Dewey, J. (1902). The child and the curriculum. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. When it is stated that learning is active, the term active is often misinterpreted to mean physically active which severely limits what can be done in a classroom. However, the active is meant to infer an active mind, one which is in a constant state of engagement in the learning. Students should be allowed to explore, question, grapple with the content to allow their minds to remain active and desiring more and deeper knowledge. This also should not simply concern the lessons alone. What often is thrown to the wayside is the assessment portion of the learning which frequently comes in the form of a bubble in test. Concluding a rich inquiry-based learning experience with a bubble-in test seems unjust and a disservice to the understandings gained. Allowing students the opportunity to be unique and creative with exhibiting their knowledge at the end of the unit can be a much more revealing and rewarding step in their learning. Additionally, it may be much more revealing as to their level of understanding if the assessments are created to probe deeper and require construction of knowledge with more reflection and synthesis. Dewey claims that the education of the child should not dismiss the context of their own personality and lives and allow them the opportunity to combine the two. Although the alternative assessments are not the norm and may not be suitable for all content material, creating the opportunity for incorporation of these types of assessments more often may provide the teacher with a different form of feedback that can inform their teaching and influence the classroom environment in a positive way. Darley, J. M., & Gross, P. H. (1983). A hypothesis-confirming bias in labeling effects. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 20-33. The end result of this study was interesting because there is obviously the desire for people not to harbor ill-prejudices, but the study showed that people do seek evidence to support their claims more often than not. However, it is very scientific and seemingly natural for most people to seek out evidence for their preconceived notions as opposed to blindly believing in something. In education, this skill of questioning and requesting evidence is necessary yet takes time to develop. Often , I find myself observing teenagers who employ the latter which is to simply believe something about a person or group of people without any supporting evidence. Being that in a science classroom the quest for evidence is an absolute necessity, the approach can be useful in other regards as well. Placing this discriminating behavior in the context of the classroom may teach students to seek evidence more often and possibly reject judgmental behavior in other situations, such as in the judgment of other people. Teaching students how to use their knowledge as a frame of mind that lends itself to rejecting irrational prejudices is a valuable life skill that should be stressed. For example, with the subject of HIV, students may delve deep into the content of viruses and mechanisms of cell infection, however until they apply and consider this new knowledge in the frame of mind which includes any of their previous misconceptions and prejudices are they able to construct new knowledge and stronger skills for discriminating evidence and sources of evidence. Placing content in a social and personal context such as in the students example of technology based assessment using Google Docs, ,allows students to experience how their knowledge of a subject matter is important for influencing their perceptions of others. Resources: For more lessons incorporating education technology, check out these resources: http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Educational_Technology_Lesson_Plans http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Educational_technologies