Amelia Wenk Gotwals|Nancy Butler Songer
Reasoning up and down a food chain: Using an assessment framework to investigate students' middle knowledge
Michigan State University|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
abstract able make claims students know science involves gathering systematic evidence students knowledge abilities paper describes assessment system designed elicit information students many placements along developmental trajectories demonstrates system used gather principled evidence students reason food web food chain disturbances specifically assessment system designed gather information students intermediary middle knowledge pathway toward sophisticated understanding findings indicate association curricular intervention student gains significant however despite overall gains students still struggled explain might happen disturbance ecosystem addition paper discusses importance cognitive framework guide task design interpretation evidence framework allowed gathering detailed information provided insights intricacies students reason scientific scenarios particular assessment system allowed illustration multiple types middle knowledge students may possess indicating multiple messy middles students may move develop ability reason complex scientific situations 2009 wiley periodicals inc sci ed 94 259281 2010