Examples of Methods for Assessing Prior Knowledge and Skills
There are several different methods to assess pre-existing knowledge and skills in students. Some are direct measures, such as tests, concept maps, portfolios, auditions, etc, and others are more indirect, such as self-reports, inventory of prior courses and experiences, etc. Below are links to some methods that instructors at Carnegie Mellon and elsewhere have employed.
Concept Inventories
Concept inventories are multiple choice or short answer tests that target fundamental concepts within a domain. These tests are designed to uncover systematic misconceptions.
- Example 1: Mechanics This link contains sample items from the Mechanics Baseline Test [Hestenes & Wells, 1992]. The test is designed for students who have received some formal instruction on mechanics and is meant to assess conceptual understanding, not quantitative skills.
- Example 2: Statics This link contains sample items from a Statics Inventory developed by Paul Steif, Carnegie Mellon.
Concept maps
Concept map activities can reveal the underlying structure or organization of students knowledge of a concept or constellation of concepts. These are very helpful when the kinds of causal theories and relations among ideas are critical to them understanding the course materials.
Self-Assessment Probes
Self-assessment probes are indirect methods of assessment that ask students to reflect and comment on their level of knowledge and skill across a range of items. These items can include knowledge and skills that are prerequisites for the course as well as items that will be addressed in the course.