Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 5, Issue 2, Article 8 (Aug., 2004)
Winnie Wing Mui SO
Assessing primary science learning: beyond paper and pencil assessment

The place of assessent in the curriculum

The place of assessment in the primary science curriculum needs to be addressed. Reinhartz and Beach (1997, p.320) considered "The heart of the assessment step is alignment with other aspects of the planning and implementation steps of the curriculum development progress? In the recent development of the General Studies curriculum that covers science learning for Hong Kong primary schools (Curriculum Development Council, 2000), teaching, learning, and assessment are placed together within the discussion of the curriculum framework. This clearly indicates the importance of appropriate assessment strategies at the curriculum development stage. Novak, Mintzes and Wandersee (1999) view assessment as the fifth essential commonplace in education, along with the teacher, the learner, the curriculum, and the social environment. And Hollins and Whitby (1998) see planning, teaching, and assessment as a continuous cycle (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The assessment cycle (Source: Hollins & Whitby, 1998, p.153)

 

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