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Teachers' misconceptions of biological science concepts as revealed in science examination papers
Citation
Boo, H. K. (2005, November). Teachers' misconceptions of biological science concepts as revealed in science examination papers [Paper presentation]. Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, Parramatta, Australia.
Author
Boo, Hong Kwen
Abstract
Assessment is an integral and vital part of teaching and learning, providing feedback on progress through the assessment period to both learners and teachers. However, if test items are flawed because of misconceptions held by the question setter, then such test items are invalid as assessment tools. Moreover, such flawed items are also likely to perpetuate the misconceptions among pupils. Research has shown that misconceptions among pupils are resistant to change, and that they persist even with formal science instruction. This paper highlights teachers' (or question setters') misconceptions concerning some key biology science concepts in the areas of plant and animal morphology, function and genetics. It is based on a scrutiny of numerous sets of primary science examination papers in Singapore Schools (first and second semestral assessment science papers, ie SA1 and SA2) in three different contexts: 1) vetting school examination papers with a view to helping schools improve the quality of their examination questions; 2) conducting school-based workshops on how to craft better examination questions; 3) conducting National Institute of Education in-service courses for primary school teachers. Suggestions for addressing the problems highlighted are also discussed.
Date Issued
2005
Description
This paper was presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, held in Parramatta, Australia from 28 Nov to 2 Dec 2005