Identifying and enhancing prospective science teachers? competencies in alternative assessment methods: an action research

The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge level of the primary school science teacher candidates and fix their shortfalls, if any on the concepts of assessment and evaluation and on alternative assessment and evaluation techniques.In this study, action research, which is a qualitative research pattern, was used. For data collection, interviews and observation techniques were employed. To collect data, 10 semi-structured open ended questions were used. Experts in science and assessment and evaluation fields were consulted during the preparation of the questions to validate the measurement tool. The reliability of the measurement tool was ensured by having three field experts analyze the answers of the students. The interviews with students were recorded in audio and video formats.The study was conducted on a class formed by randomly selected 24 senior students attending Primary School Science Teaching Programme at Gazi University, Faculty of Education. The data were collected via two sets of interviews which were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the academic year with the students, and the evaluation of sample activities performed in the Science-Technology and Society course according to constructivist approach. Moreover, after the aforementioned course which was taken in the fall semester, the students were monitored in the spring semester during their teaching practice in order to determine whether each candidate used their competencies.The first set of interviews revealed that the students had insufficient knowledge regarding assessment, evaluation and alternative assessment and evaluation; since most of them were unable to answer the questions, whereas the rest provided some answers that were basically wild guesses irrelevant of the subject.The students took the Science-Technology and Society course in the fall semester after the first set of interviews. It was observed that the students, after taking this course, which includes sample instructions and activities, had the desired level of knowledge on assessment, evaluation and alternative assessment and evaluation. Moreover, it was noticed that the candidates successfully made use of their competencies during their internships in the spring semester.