• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.291-306
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• 2020

In this study, we developed a learning progression for the structure of the solar system using multi-tier supply form items and validated its appropriateness. To this end, by applying Wilson's (2005) construct modeling approach, we set up 'solar system components,' 'size and distance pattern of solar system planets,' and 'solar system modeling' as the progress variables of the learning progression and constructed multi-tier supply form items for each of these variables. The items were applied to 150 fifth graders before and after the classes that dealt with the 'solar system and star' unit. To describe the results of the assessment, the students' responses to each item were categorized into five levels. By analyzing the Wright map that was created by applying the partial credit Rasch model, we validated the appropriateness of the learning progression based on the students' responses. In addition, the validity of the hypothetical pathway that was established in the learning progression was verified by tracking changes in the developmental level of students before and after the classes. The results of the research are as follows. The bottom-up research method that used multi-tier supply form items was able to elaborately set the empirical learning progression for the conceptualization of the structure of the solar system that is taught in elementary school. In addition, the validity of the learning progression was high, and the development of students was found to change with the learning progression.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.684-694
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• 2020

In this study, we developed a rubric for assessing middle school students' conceptual understanding about dew point. For this purpose, we analyzed 9th grade students' responses collected by using a multi-tiers constructed-response item of National Assessment of Educational Achievement (NAEA) and classified the types of the responses according to their characteristics. In addition, we analyzed the distribution of student response types according to mean achievement scores and developed an assessment rubric of conceptual understanding about dew point. The findings are as follows: First, the analysis of student responses to finding dew point in the saturation curve showed that many students had no or lack understanding of the scientific concept of dew point. Second, as a result of analyzing the student response to the water vapor condensation process at dew point, the proportion of scientific conception types was very low, while the proportion of misconception types was relatively high and the types varied as well. Third, a four- level assessment rubric was developed based on the analysis of the distribution of student response types according to the mean achievement scores. Based on the findings, we suggested the development and utilization of assessment rubric in the field of Earth science education.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.481-494
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• 2018

This study investigated elementary students' understanding of Earth revolution and its accompanied apparent motion of constellation in terms of spatial reasoning. We designed a set of multi-tiered constructed response items in which students described their own idea about the reason of consecutive movement of constellations for three months and drew a diagram about relative locations of the Sun, the Earth, and the constellations. Sixty-five sixth grade students from four elementary schools participated in the tests both before and after science classes on the relative movement of Earth and Moon. Their answers to the items were categorized inductively in terms of transforming frames of reference which are observed on the Earth and designed from the Space-based perspective. We analyzed those categories by the levels of spatial reasoning and depicted the change of students' levels between pre/post-tests so that we could get an idea on the preliminary developmental pathway of students' understanding of this topic. The lower anchor description was that constellations move around the Earth with geocentric perspective. Intermediate level descriptions were planar understanding of Earth movement, intuitive idea on constellation movement along with the Earth. Students with intermediate levels did not reach understanding of the apparent motion of constellations. As the upper anchor description students understood the apparent motion of constellations according to the Earth revolution and could transform their frames of reference between Earth-based view and Space-based view. The features as the case of evolutionary learning progressions and critical points of students' development for this topic were discussed.