Formative assessment probes – building conceptual understanding in KS3

Our starting point was to state three key findings from research: 

• Learners of all ages apply effort to make sense of concepts and phenomena 

• Learners  initially construct their own explanations with ideas that originate from many different places and make sense to them 

• Misconceptions can be tenacious and learners need to articulate their ideas, compare them with others and reconcile differences 

The ASE published a book called Understanding Children’s Ideas in Science which offers a way of addressing this challenge for teachers in KS2.  Millgate House has now planned to publish an equivalent volume for KS3 and the session leaders are in the process of developing the manuscript.  This book will contain a comprehensive series of purposefully designed questions called probes, each of which will provide a way of identifying students’ ideas about a particular concept or phenomenon without making them feel they are being tested.  The evidence can then be used to support responsive teaching, providing insights into misconceptions and how to help students work through them. 

Sample probes for the KS3 book were shared.  Each of the probes is in two parts.  They present the student with a context and ask for their best idea.  They then ask them to explain their answer.  Each probe is accompanied by teacher notes which include guidance on the interpretation of responses, a summary of the research base on commonly held ideas and implications for teaching, suggesting ideas as to how the teacher can respond. 

Participants examined a class set of responses that asked students to predict what happens to the mass of a sealed bag containing ice cubes after the ice cubes have melted. Responses were analysed for common misconceptions and a lack of understanding that the sealed bag represents a closed system.  

The workshop finished by emphasising key points about the use of the probes, including the idea that they should ideally be used with students not just once but twice, to reveal the extent to which teaching has been effective in developing their understanding. 

The KS2 publication can be ordered from Millgate House at: Understanding Children's Ideas in Science - Millgate and includes a digital download of the materials.  The KS3 publication is scheduled for release in September 2025.