The Role of Pre-Diagnostic Assessment in the Development of Inquiry Science Lesson
Steven Hart, Undergraduate Secondary Life Sciences, Texas Christian University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hayat Alhokayem
Method:
• I Organized teaching for an AP Anatomy and
Physiology class, grades 11-12 in a south Fort
Worth high school.
Pedagogical Research Question
To what extent does understanding student’s prior knowledge help
develop a successful science lesson and its concepts?
• The Class had 29 students.
Lesson Procedures
• I conducted a pre-diagnostic assessment about
the endocrine system.
• I began with an introductory video about the
endocrine system to spark their minds and
gave an overview of the components and
functions of the system.
• I then demonstrated that the nervous system
was responsible for reactions to stimuli as I
slammed a book on the desk of an
unsuspecting student.
• Further, I compared/contrasted that to the
endocrine system through the use of chocolate
to demonstrate the blood-glucose level
regulation.
• The students then filled out a chart of the
organs of the endocrine system identifying
their location, function, and products.
• The students then took an assessment.
• I designed in inquiry lesson and postassessment based off of the results of the prediagnostic assessment.
Prior Knowledge
Selected Responses From AP Anatomy
and Physiology students.
How does the endocrine
system affect your other
body systems?
• “The endocrine system affects other body
systems by sending messages to the nervous
system.”
• “It uses hormones to tell the other body
systems what to do.”
Did students develop a
deeper understanding of the
topic?
Sample Responses:
• “Endocrine deals with hormones, and the
nervous deals with nerves. They are connected
through the hypothalamus in that the nervous
system sends signals to the endocrine
system.” (5/5)
• “The nervous system sends impulses and the
endocrine system stimulates hormones and
regulates body temperature.” (4.5/5)
• “The nervous system controls things while the
endocrine system balances things. They’re
connected because the hormones influences
your bodily functions.” (4/5)
Post - Assessment Question:
What are the differences between the nervous system and the endocrine system (what do they
target)? Are they connected? If so, how do they interact with each other?
- 5 Points
Key for Evaluation:
• “It releases necessary hormones your body
needs to develop.”
Levels of Understanding
What do you think the
endocrine system does?
• “It maintains homeostasis and helps with the
development of the body.”
Example aspects addressed
Little Understanding (0-1)
-One aspect correct
• 
Endocrine system deals with
hormones
Partial understanding (2-3)
-Two aspects correct
• 
Hormones are sent to organs from
glands
Hormones help maintain homeostasis
and help the body function properly.
• 
• “It helps the nervous system.”
• “I think it sends signals to other parts of the
body system for them to function.”
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Advanced Understanding (4-5)
-Three aspects correct
Grade Distribution
• 
• 
All of the above answers PLUS…
Nervous system is connected to the
endocrine system.
Conclusions:
Affordances and Challenges
• Knowing student’s prior knowledge helped
define a more effective lesson.
• 10 students developed a deeper qualitative
understanding of the similarities and
differences of the two systems by identifying
the linkage between the two.
• A challenge was that some students did not
realize the linkage between the two.
Recommendations
• Learn more about the misconceptions and the
difficulties of this lesson.
• Include more concrete visual or other
resources in this lesson (research/lab, etc.).
• Create more direct questions (pre and post)
that help with understanding.
• Interview students to get a deeper
understanding of their misconceptions.