Simulated Performance Assessments
for Related Knowledge and Skills
by
John Chamberlain, CORD4901 Bosque Blvd• Waco, TX 76710
Email: [email protected]
Supported by National Science Foundation, DUE-0603389
Trade skills (welding, construction,…)High-risk (lasers, nuclear, bio-hazards,…)High-cost (space program, surgery,…)Rare/Controversial (procedures, research,…)Troubleshooting (complex devices
and situations)Difficult (research, destructive testing,
costly tools,…)2
Teaching Performance-Type Skills
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How do we assess hand skills?StudentsEmployees
Paper/Pencil test (worst case)Poorly represents performanceGenerally indicates only head-knowledgeRequires well-designed test instrument
Hands-on test (best case)Excellent measure of performanceRequires real-world equipment/conditionsRequires real-time proctor involvement
Performance Assessments
Created assessments in the “middle ground”Realistically simulated the performance tasks (Univ of CO: PhET; Nat’l Instruments: LabVIEW)Captured data and scored it with an objective rubric (Concord: SAIL/OTrunk)Compared scores with other testsBetter than paper-pencil, and safer, more convenient and cost effective than real hands-on assessments.
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Background: The Previous ProjectComputer-Assisted Performance Assessments
Digital MultimeterUsing a DMMOhm’s Law
OscilloscopeFreq and amplitudeAmplitude modulation
Circuit troubleshootingLogic gates (digital)Amplifier (analog)
More details are available at:http://capa.concord.org
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Computer-Assisted Performance Assessments... CAPA
Compared to multiple choice tests, conflicting interpretations of results.
Is the multiple choice test measuring the same thing as the hands-on simulation?Is simulation giving adequate motor-skill feedback to approximate real-hands-on task?
Course instructors are very interested!We frequently heard students ask,
“Can I try it again? I can do better!” They are very interested, too!
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What We Learned
Aha! Students want to improve their scores!We can TEACH the skill/concept with simulationsAs in CAPA...
Simulate real-world, hands-on tasks and equipment “Watch over the shoulder” as student performs taskScore student actions as well as answersProvide detailed report to student and teacher
In addition to CAPA...Enable students to repeat the assessment and encourage them to improve their scoreTrack student performance: overall, and trouble areasRun in a browser, requiring minimal softwareInclude tutorial material designed to teach!
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A Follow-On Project Is Born!
Proposed Modules
Digital Multimeters,Breadboard, DC
Oscilloscope, Function generator, AC
1 - Resistor Color Code
2 - Series Circuits
3 - Parallel Circuits
4 - Series-Parallel Circuits
5 – AC Series Circuits
6 - AC Parallel Circuits
7 - AC Series-Parallel Circuits
8 - Resonant Circuits
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Simulated Performance Assessments for Related Knowledge and Skills
Students are presented withRealistic resistor Random (but real) R valuesA realistic, functioninginteractive digital multimeter
TasksInterpret resistor color bandsMeasure R by properly using the digital multimeterCompare with rated tolerance range
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Module 1: Resistor Color Codes
Students are presented withRandom (but real) R valuesRealistic resistors in circuits on a realistic breadboardA functioning, interactive digital multimeter (DMM)
Tasked withMaking voltage and current measurements in series and parallel circuits.Calculating resistance values by applying Ohm’s Law.
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Modules 2-4: Resistors & DC
Field Testing
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For more information:http://sparks.concord.org(always under development )
To contact us, send email to:[email protected]
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