Transcript Document 7751191

Science Research Project:
A Seven Step Assessment
and Improvement Plan
Nini Cardoza
Sierra College
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“To improve their learning,
students need to receive
appropriate and focused
feedback early and often…”
(Angelo and Cross)
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Outcomes
• Demonstrate relevance of course to
‘real world’
• Develop library & web-based research skills
• Evaluate new information and
integrate it with course concepts
• Improve writing and oral
communication skills
– Reference sources using APA format
• Develop collaborative skills
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Design of Research Project
• Project divided into 7 manageable tasks
– Semester long project
– Early tasks build foundation for final product
• Topics related to ‘real world’ issues
or future career
• Framework of multiple assessments
shapes development of project
• Final product: Written report,
oral presentation, & poster
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Student comments regarding
relevancy and project design
• Being able to pick a topic and see how chemistry is
actually a big part of our life and surroundings and
affects us all – and I didn’t even know it!
• I liked the application of what we learned in class
compared to how it is used in the real world. Seeing
the connections really helped!
• This is the best research assignment I ever
received.
• The contract and deadlines were areas that
could be used by all classes. That alone
helped me stay on task and not procrastinate.
• I liked the way it was broken up to keep us
constantly working on it and thinking about it.
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7-step Research Project
• Task I – Topic
• Task II – Annotated bibliography
• Task III – Partners’ contract
• Task IV – Rough draft
• Task V – Peer review
• Task VI – Final report
• Task VII – Oral presentation/poster
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7-step Research Project
• Task I – Topic
– Short summary of topic
– 4 questions to be answered in report
– Instructor approval & guidance
• Task II - Annotated bibliography
– Library/research training
– Create a Reference page
• Ten annotated references
– 4 Scientific/professional journals
– Correct APA format
– Submit copied and highlighted articles
– Feedback regarding appropriate resources
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7-step Research Project
• Task III – Contract
– Draft tentative outline of project
• Describe responsibility of each partner
– Formulate a plan and timeline
– Each partner signs contract
• Task IV – Rough Draft
– Collaborate to write rough draft
– Writing center critique and suggestions
– Instructor preliminary assessment
and constructive criticism
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7-step Research Project
• Task V – Peer Review
– Each student reviews two reports and provides
helpful feedback
• Students receive points for quality of comments
• Task VI – Final Report
– Synthesis of information related to topic
– Requirements: Title page, abstract, body,
conclusion and reference page
• Task VII – Oral presentation & poster
– Communicate findings to class
– Poster – mini outline creatively presented
– Peer evaluation
• Rubric provides criteria for Tasks V, VI, VII
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Summary
• Inquiry based project is student-centered
• Students develop insights into relevancy
• Alternative assessment appeals to diverse
learning styles
• Multiple critiques & feedback
– improves learning
– multiple opportunities for revision
and improvement of final product
• Rubric - a guide in development
and assessment of project
• Project integrates and improves
skills on several levels
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Student Feedback
• Students surveyed at conclusion
of project
– 15 questions with Likert responses
• See handout
– 3 questions seeking written
responses regarding project:
• What was most beneficial?
• What did you enjoy most?
• How can project be improved?
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What Students Say
• 86% agree the tasks prevented procrastination
• 80% report library orientation and annotated
bibliography provided a jump start
• 84% strongly relied on the rubric as a guide
• 71% believed working with a partner
increased understanding
• 62-69% benefited from peer review
• 92% improved their research and
writing skills
• 96% used ongoing feedback to improve
their report
• 96% enjoyed the oral presentations and
learning about real world connections
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Sampling of student comments
• (What really helped) Going to the library … I had no idea
how to use Proquest … writing center gave me tips…
• The peer review occurred at the right time so I could
compare the quality and quantity of my paper to others.
• This was a great project, especially for people like me
who struggle on tests.
• Writing and presentation are my strengths, so it
provided some opportunity for me to do good.
• Writing the paper helped my writing skills and my
familiarity with APA format and increased my
research skills.
• (Oral presentation)…learning lots of cool things
not only through my own paper but others as well.
• Overall this was a fun and informative project.
• Great class! Great project! I learned a lot!
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Remarks Regarding Improvements
• No improvement needed. I thought
this was a great assignment.
• …one due date, I like to throw all my
work together at the last minute.
• Do an individual project.
• Look at completed projects to
have a clearer idea of what a
“good project” is
• More in class time to work on project
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References
• Angelo, T. A., & Cross, K. P. (1993). Classroom
assessment techniques: A handbook for college
teachers. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
• Huba, M. E., & Freed, J. E. (2000). Learnercentered assessment on college campuses:
shifting the focus from teaching to learning.
Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Contact information:
Nini Cardoza
[email protected]
(916) 789-2729
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