This paper explores the potential of large language models to accurately extract and translate equations from typed student responses into a standard format. This is a useful task as standardized equations can be graded reliably using a computer algebra system or a satisfiability modulo theories solver. Therefore physics instructors interested in…

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable achievement test in accordance with the content framework of the 9th-grade Biology Course Curriculum published within the scope of the Turkish Century Maarif Model on the subject of "Organic Matter". The screening method was used for this purpose. The sample of the study consists of 258…

Previous studies noted the scantiness of diagnostic instruments for the assessment of students' understanding of fundamental biochemistry concepts. Consequently, within this study, a four-tier test for the examination of secondary school students' conceptual understanding of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes has been developed. Items in the test…

General chemistry is often the first course taken by students interested in careers in STEM and health fields, and therefore, is considered an essential course for the success and retention of students in these fields. Prior studies have shown study habits and skills to be related to student performance in college-level courses, including STEM…

Student-centered teaching techniques and equitable assessments are crucial in high-quality education. Asking students to write multiple-choice questions (MCQs) over course content and including them on exams may address both concurrently. Much of the work surveying students' responses to this practice involved graduate level education in…

This study explores the use of artificial intelligence in grading high-stakes physics exams, emphasizing the application of psychometric methods, particularly item response theory, to evaluate the reliability of AI-assisted grading. We examine how grading rubrics can be iteratively refined and how threshold parameters can determine when…

This study examines the feasibility and potential advantages of using large language models, in particular GPT-4o, to perform partial credit grading of large numbers of student written responses to introductory level physics problems. Students were instructed to write down verbal explanations of their reasoning process when solving one conceptual…

Student attrition in online courses remains a significant concern, particularly in STEM disciplines. Common pedagogical practices in STEM, such as timed, high-stakes "traditional" exams, may contribute to attrition by adversely affecting cognitive development, student attitudes toward their discipline, and various aspects of motivation.…

Traditional written examinations in higher education face challenges of authenticity and integrity. This study evaluated interactive oral assessments (IOA) as an alternative to traditional written examinations in bioscience education. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from 722 students across multiple offerings of the course (2009-2023) were…

The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education provide that an intermediate-level science test is to be administered in Grade 8 to serve as a basis for determining students' need for academic intervention services in science. The New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test consists of two required components: a Written Test and a…

The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable achievement test on the subject of 'Basic Compounds in the Structure of Living Things'. During the preparation of the draft form of the test, a 32 item-question pool was created by the researchers in the light of the relevant literature. Then, these questions were presented to expert opinion…

The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education provide that an intermediate-level science test is to be administered in Grade 8 to serve as a basis for determining students' need for academic intervention services in science. The New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test consists of two required components: a Written Test and a…

In this study, we evaluate the validity of question 29 (Q.29) in the Force Concept Inventory (FCI), which requires an understanding of atmospheric pressure. At least in some Japanese physics classes, the rate of the correct answer to Q.29 is reduced between the pretest and post-test. To examine this deterioration of a student's response, we…

In this research, we have explored the possible differences in students' performance in grade nine chemistry exams that could have been influenced by a different instructional approach in grade eight. We compared two groups of students: one group had received a transmissive propaedeutic approach in grade eight (especially related to the memorising…

The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to develop and validate a three-tier diagnostic test on work, power, and energy (WPE) concepts and (2) to identify Turkish pre-service science teachers' conceptual understanding through this test. The Work, Power, and Energy Concept Test (WPECT) was developed through interviews, read-aloud sessions, and…