The patchwork assessment: A formative-summative assessment combo in an ecology module

Presenter: Eduardo Medina-Roldan (Environmental Science)

Key words: Patchwork assessment, Formative-summative assessment, Ecology module

Ecology has been described as one of the most vast and diverse of the natural sciences, in terms of scope and conceptual/methodological approaches. Such extension together with particularities of teaching Undergrad Level 1students (British System) in mainland China makes it challenging to introduce a general module on this subject,balancing material coverage and development of “other” critical attitudes (e.g., metacognitive development). In this talk I discuss the application of the patchwork text as an assessment designed to link several pedagogic objectives in a Sino-British University in mainland China. I focus on two main interrelated pedagogic aims, (i) development of metacognitive skills and independent learning and (ii) reflection of the nature of science and scientific knowledge (epistemological hereafter). The first objective is addressed through the production of a reflective diary as part of the assessment. The second one is addressed by explicitly linking the portfolio-like characteristics of the patchwork text with the practice of the scientific method (i.e., hypothesis creation, definition and operationalisation of variables,construction of models, quasi-falsification, etc.).