Assessing+Biology

toc In the form 4/PSOW, we need to submit students' write-ups for the top two scores achieved in each of Design, Data Collection and Processing and Conclusion and Evaluation. It has been said that examiners prefer when these criteria are all assessed together in one investigation, with the student designing, implementing and writing-up their own piece of work. Of course, it is possible to submit a separate piece of work for each criterion (a maximum of 6 pieces per student!), but does this really address the nature of Biology?
 * Assessing IB Biology Practical Investigations **

The purpose of this page is to share some models that could be used for larger, more student-led investigations.

Model 1: Staggered
Easy to manage with smaller classes. Students research using texts and websites. Materials provided for students to fiddle with specimens and measuring tools, as they refine their design. || Comments:
 * **Week** || **Number of periods** || **Tasks & Descriptions** ||
 * 1 || 1 x 90mins || Set students overall task.
 * 2 || 2 x 90 mins || Action phase - students collect data under supervision. ||
 * 3. || 1 x 45 mins || Computer lab - refining DCP ||
 * 4. || 0 || Submission of complete write-up. ||

Model 2: Action Week
Like a smaller-scale G4 project - without the 'group'! write-ups. || Comments:
 * **Week** || **Number of periods** || **Tasks & Descriptions** ||
 * 1 || 1 x 45mins || Set students overall task & give opportunities for research. ||
 * 2 || 2 x 90 mins || Action phase week - students devote all class time to data collection and
 * 3. || 0 || Submission of complete write-up. ||

Model 3: Advanced Warning
Based on David Mindorff's idea in the [|OCC]. In this model, students are given a longer period of notice that an assessment is coming up, and should be planning at home. write-ups. || Comments:
 * Week || **Number of periods** || **Tasks & Descriptions** ||
 * 1 || 1/2 x 45mins || Students write design and materials requisition. ||
 * 2 || 2 x 90 mins || Action phase - students devote all class time to data collection and
 * 3. || 0 || Submission of complete write-up. ||

Model 4: School's Out
Student-designed investigations on a collapsed timetable or field-trip. Students should be forewarned that they will be given one day to complete a full investigation and should be looking for ideas as they work through the field-trip activities.

Students may be paired depending on demand for equipment. Although they are helping with each other's data collection, they are still working on their own RQ. || Comments:
 * **Week** || **Number of periods** || **Tasks & Descriptions** ||
 * 1 || Learning days || Students learn how to use various techniques and tools, and get ideas for their own investigations. ||
 * || 1 x 60mins || Design time - students write their own Design, including requisition forms.
 * || Full day || Data collection and processing in the field. Supervised, but not helped. ||
 * 2. || 0 || Submission of drafts/ final write-ups. ||

Assessment Rubrics and Checklists
If you have any rubrics or checklists to help students with IA write-ups, please share them here:

[|Rubric/ checklist poster] from Stephen Taylor