How do figures (tables, graphs, etc.) aid in the assessment process? Provide one figure in this blog section.

 

(Florida Department of Education, 2012)

As a Biology teacher in Florida, I have had the opportunity to serve as part of the state end of course item specification review committee. This group gathers together each year to review test questions before they are added to the Biology End of Course exam. It is common for test questions to include figures or images. These images are able to efficiently portray information in a condensed format without requiring the students to read complex descriptions. The image above shows how DNA can be cut with a restriction enzyme and then inserted into a plasmid which can be picked up by a bacteria which then expresses the gene and produces the protein coded for my the inserted DNA. This would be a lot of words, but careful images can explain the concept pretty efficiently. Reading graphs and tables is also an important skill in science. Inclusion of items that require students to use these skills helps to provide more realistic examples. Additionally, images help to break up large batches of text which can make the test easier to digest for reluctant readers. 

References
Florida Department of Education. (2012). Biology 1 end-of-course assessment test item specifications version 2. https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5662/urlt/0077547-biologyfl11sp.pdf

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