The effects of using alternative assessment activities on students? achievements in the unit of electricity in our lives in the 6th grade science and technology course

In this study it was aimed to search (examine) the effect of extensive usage of alternative assessment activities on students' academic success, persistence of information and their opinions in 6th grade science and technology course. The research was carried out with 40 6th grade students in TED Kayseri primary college in 2010-2011 semester years. In this study quasi experimental design was used. ln experimental and control groups courses were continued during the ''Electricity In Our Lives'' unit during three weeks. Students of experimental group were applied alternative assessment activities such as concept maps, structured grid, diagnostic tree, vee diagram, fishbone diagram, student journals and poster along with the normal course descriptive.According to the results of the study the usage of alternative assessment techniques in science and technology courses positively affected the improvement of the success of students and the persistency of the knowledge. While students of experimental group used the structured grid, diagnostic tree and fishbone diagram most, they used the concept maps and vee diagram least. Furthermore, students of experimental group had positive opinion about using alternative assessment in science and technology course.Key words: Alternative assessment techniques, science and technology course, electricity in our life unit.