0. Participants will need three index cards each (three colors).

1. HCC INSPIRE Learner-Centered Strategy
Active
Collaborative
Real-World

2. ConcepTest Where can I start? Real-time diagnostic teaching tool
Test for conceptual understanding
Foster critical thinking and metacognition
Eric Mazur (Harvard, Physics): “You can forget facts, but you cannot forget understanding”

3. Waves
wave =
disturbance or oscillation that travels through space and matter

4. Waves

5. ConcepTest (NO talking please!)
At which location in the diagram below would the waves break closer to the beach?
Answer A
Answer B
Answer C

6. Now explain WHY
At which location in the diagram below would the waves break closer to the beach?
Answer A
Answer B
Answer C

8. ConcepTest Characteristics
Focus on a single concept (not simple fact)
Clearly worded
Multiple choice
Distractors cover commonly held misconceptions
Intermediate difficulty (Bloom’s application level)
May or may not have a correct answer
Used for think-pair-share or small group discussion
Involve metacognition (explain WHY)

9. ConcepTest Use
Lasry, N., Mazur, E., & Watkins, J. (2008). Peer instruction: From Harvard to community colleges. American Journal of Physics, 76(11),

10. ConcepTest Dos and Don’ts
BEWARE…
Students may simply change their answer to whatever was most popular.
Don’t let them wait you out either! Never answer your own ConcepTest. Re-visit, re-vote.
SO…
It’s not about getting it right or wrong, it’s about articulating (and hearing) WHY it is right or WHY it is wrong, or WHY a student agrees or does not agree.
STUDENTS must DEFEND their answer.
Mistakes = OPPORTUNITIES for learning BEFORE the test.

11. HCC INSPIRE ConcepTest Resource: Web-Based Clicker Systems:
Web-Based Clicker Systems:
For a clicker system comparison see:
COMPARISON:
textthemob

12. Thank you! tineke.berends@hccs.edu (713) 718-5875
HCC INSPIRE
Thank you!
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