Student teachers at Ball State University are required to complete an in-depth unit long data driven analysis of their student teaching called Learning Assessment Model Project (LAMP). I chose to run the project during the stoichiometry unit. Stoichiometry is a unifying topic of chemistry. It synthesizes previously taught topics of writing chemical formulas, calculating molar masses, performing molar conversions, and balancing chemical reaction equations so that students may apply prior knowledge to its fullest use. Stoichiometry is rigorous and challenging for students. My aim was to make this topic both accessible and useful for my students by relating it to their everyday lives. We chose the stoichiometry unit to run our LAMP project in as most students, except possibly those who have taken integrated chemistry and physics, have no experience with stoichiometry. We wanted to see the direct impact that our teaching had upon students. The following is a summary of the project, its outcome and conclusions drawn from it.
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Authentic Assessment: Solution Exam Practical
I always enjoy any activity that involves authentic laboratory work, so when it came time for the solutions unit in Chemistry I, I decided to allow students a choice for their end of unit assessment. Either assessment was worth the same number of points, but there would be an option of either completing a traditional paper and pencil test, or performing a lab practical exam that involved making actual solutions. A rubric was constructed to grade the outcome of the practical: Solution Lab Practical Rubric as well as a modified testing instrument: Solutions Practical Exam
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Stoichiometry Project
A requirement of the LAMP project was to have students complete a project related to the unit of study. My LAMP project was completed during the stoichiometry unit, so the project I assigned involved students profiling a kind of chemical reaction of interest to them, and then performing a 5 gram mole to mole stoichiometry calculation using a balanced reaction involving that reaction. The end product students produced was either a poster or a brochure describing their reaction, with an illustration and the required calculations outlined. The results were fantastic:
Rubric Design
My first rubric was designed to accompany a unit on molecular bonding, which was also the basis for my unit map.
I utilized the rgrade rubric system to generate the rubric. I had never used the rgrade system before, but once I established that rubrics can only generated under the instructor function, I was able to easily compose the rubric and to help other Fellows do so, too.
Test Design & Unit Map Alignment
My first test design cwas created to accompany a unit on molecular bonding. The exam I created utilized binary and multiple choice items, matching, short answer as well as a single essay item. I included an answer key and alignments to Popham’s kinds of test items. I employed my unit map outline to help align standards and objectives in constructing this test.
Teacher Data Dashboard
Below is my Teacher Data Dashboard connected to InTASC 6, created for EDPSY 699. My Dashboard is an interactive spreadsheet, designed for simple data entry use that yields instant computational responses and graphical representations, both across an entire class as well as for individual students.