Assessment Part II:

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Assessment Part II Assignments and activities
for PBL problems Deborah Allen and Hal White
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SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS FOR A PBL COURSE BASED ON
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Make a list of "LEARNING ISSUES." (i.e. identify
those things you don't understand that you will
need to learn about in order to understand the
article. Prepare a LEARNING ISSUE REPORT on one
issue you explored. With few or no words,
create a physical, chemical, or mathematical
MODEL of the point(s) you think the authors want
to make. Write an ABSTRACT that would be
appropriate for this article. Write a PROBLEM or
LABORATORY EXERCISE suitable for freshman
chemistry students based on the information in
this article. What questions does the article
raise or leave unanswered that would be suitable
for FUTURE RESEARCH?
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Course Objective Acquire the ability to tie
together information and concepts from a variety
of sources, and across different disciplines and
subdisciplines
Assignment Construct a concept map
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How to Construct a Concept Map

• Identify words representing key concepts and
• write them on Post-It notes
• Arrange the Post-Its from top to bottom (or
  from inside to outside), with more important
  concepts towards the top (or center)
• Draw lines between related concepts and write a
  word or phrase above the line that establishes
  the link between the concepts (propositional
  linkages)
• Draw lines between related concepts within
• different map areas (crosslinks)

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Example of Use As Group Assignment
Midway through the Geritol Solution problem,
groups construct maps with one of these
titles The Flow of Energy Through the
Biosphere The Light Independent Reactions of
Photosynthesis The Light Dependent Reactions of
Photosynthesis The Global Carbon Cycle
Instructors Options Class presentations on
transparencies peer review instructor displays
map examples to provide feedback
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An Example from a Faculty Workshop
From, A. McNeal and C. D Avanzo, eds. Student
Active Science. Phila. Saunders, 1997.
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An Example from Introductory Biology Students
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Course Objective
Acquire the ability to build reasoned arguments
to support a particular conclusion or point of
view
Assignment Write a dialogue between two
intelligent people on a controversial area of
science
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Example of Dialogue As Assignment

• For individuals or pairs - due at end of
• semester
• Example of subject cloning (Dolly)
• Page minimum specified
• Number of exchanges specified
• Example of exchanges provided
• Students referred to Web site from which
• they otherwise might be tempted to copy
• other students examples

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Time Sometime in the early 2 1st
century Scene A conference room in a secret
cloning lab, somewhere in South
America Characters Ms. Roslin, a wealthy
businesswoman Dr. Campbell, an eminent
embryologist and genetic engineer As the
scene begins, Ms. R. enters the room, where the
doctor is already seated. She appears to be in
control of herself, but one detects tension
underlying her demeanor. She seats herself and
says Ms. R Hello, Dr. Campbell. My name is Ms.
Roslin, and you know why I am here. Now, I would
like to know when the procedure will begin - I
would prefer that it be as soon as possible. I
will be embarking on an extended business trip on
the fourteenth, so if... Dr. C Excuse me, Ms.
Roslin. The process of cloning is a
psychologically exhausting one, and it is often
difficult for our clients to cope. The emotional
effects on our clients have ranged from mild
post-cloning depression to severe psychological
reactions, even in the form of violence against
the clones. Our current policy, therefore, is to
ensure that all potential clients know as much as
possible about the process and its implications
before the procedure is begun. Also, once a
client completely understands the miracle of
cloning, the experience is that much more
enjoyable. Imagine the feeling of holding a
cloned child in your arms, a child that is truly
yours as nothing else can ever be, a child that
is your ideal daughter in every way Ms. R
Spare me this advertising-brochure drivel, Dr.
Campbell. I know as much about the cloning
procedure as I need to.