EcoEvo-MAPS: An Ecology and Evolution Assessment for Introductory through Advanced Undergraduates

CBE Life Sciences Education
Mindi M SummersMichelle K Smith

Abstract

A new assessment tool, Ecology and Evolution-Measuring Achievement and Progression in Science or EcoEvo-MAPS, measures student thinking in ecology and evolution during an undergraduate course of study. EcoEvo-MAPS targets foundational concepts in ecology and evolution and uses a novel approach that asks students to evaluate a series of predictions, conclusions, or interpretations as likely or unlikely to be true given a specific scenario. We collected evidence of validity and reliability for EcoEvo-MAPS through an iterative process of faculty review, student interviews, and analyses of assessment data from more than 3000 students at 34 associate's-, bachelor's-, master's-, and doctoral-granting institutions. The 63 likely/unlikely statements range in difficulty and target student understanding of key concepts aligned with the Vision and Change report. This assessment provides departments with a tool to measure student thinking at different time points in the curriculum and provides data that can be used to inform curricular and instructional modifications.

References

Jan 6, 2000·Contemporary Educational Psychology·A Wigfield, J S Eccles
Jun 11, 2003·American Journal of Epidemiology·Richard L Smith
Apr 24, 2004·Science·Jo HandelsmanWilliam B Wood
Nov 15, 2005·Science·David A BaumSamuel S S Donovan
Oct 10, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Malcolm W Kennedy, Ruedi G Nager
Dec 3, 2008·CBE Life Sciences Education·Michelle K SmithJennifer K Knight
Sep 6, 2012·CBE Life Sciences Education·T M AndrewsP P Lemons
Sep 6, 2012·CBE Life Sciences Education·Kathrin F Stanger-Hall
Jan 1, 2009·Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education·Gili Marbach-AdAnn C Smith
Sep 6, 2013·CBE Life Sciences Education·Chad E Campbell, Ross H Nehm
Dec 4, 2013·CBE Life Sciences Education·Kathryn E PerezRebecca M Price
Feb 26, 2015·CBE Life Sciences Education·Brian A CouchJennifer K Knight
Feb 26, 2015·CBE Life Sciences Education·Brian A CouchJennifer K Knight
Jun 19, 2015·CBE Life Sciences Education·Sara E BrownellAlison J Crowe
Jan 12, 2016·Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education·Brian A Couch, Jennifer K Knight
Feb 24, 2016·CBE Life Sciences Education·Todd D Reeves, Gili Marbach-Ad
Aug 18, 2016·Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health·Frazer Meacham, Carl T Bergstrom
Nov 20, 2016·CBE Life Sciences Education·Steven T KalinowskiMark L Taper

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Citations

Dec 13, 2018·Advances in Physiology Education·Katharine SemsarJennifer K Knight
Sep 2, 2020·CBE Life Sciences Education·Emily E ScottJennifer H Doherty
Aug 31, 2019·CBE Life Sciences Education·Tawnya L CaryJanet Branchaw
Oct 12, 2019·CBE Life Sciences Education·Emily E ScottJennifer H Doherty
May 2, 2020·CBE Life Sciences Education·Janet L BranchawSara E Brownell
Sep 11, 2019·Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education·Michelle K SmithBrian A Couch

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Software Mentioned

ACORNS
difR
MAPs
EcoEvo
EcoEvo - MAPS
R Studio
MIRT
SPSS
Qualtrics
RStudio

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