PLATE TECTONICS MULTIPLE CHOICE ASSESSMENT: A PILOT

This paper explores the development of a multiple choice assessment built upon a recently developed plate tectonics learning progression. Based on empirical data, the progression organizes students’ understandings about Plate Tectonics along a vertical pathways or progress variables, including normative and non-normative, initial and advanced ideas. Three main categories have emerged analytically from the data: Plate Movement, Plate Dynamics, and Intra-Plate Movement. Our assessment contains eight items spanning these categories with multiple choice options that range from low- to high-level understanding. Options are not meant to be considered as correct or incorrect; rather, the results can be used to “level” students in each category and, thus, on their knowledge of plate tectonics in general. Reliability results are reported, and the results of the assessment are validated against student interview data. These eight items show potential for use in classrooms as a formative assessment instructors can use to snapshot their students’ ideas of plate tectonics and inform subsequent instruction; however, modification and iteration is needed for the assessment to have broad application.