- Curriculum for Wales
Measuring Innovation: RM Compare in Science and Technology Education
This is the fith post in our 10 part series offering a Welsh Curriculum practitioners guide to RM Compare.
The Evolution of STEM Assessment
Science and Technology education in Wales is undergoing a significant transformation. The new Curriculum for Wales emphasises the development of innovative, problem-solving skills alongside traditional scientific knowledge. This shift presents a challenge for educators: how to assess not just what pupils know, but how they apply their knowledge creatively and practically. RM Compare emerges as a powerful tool to address this challenge, offering a fresh approach to evaluating scientific and technological competence.
RM Compare: Bridging Theory and Practice
RM Compare introduces a comparative judgement approach that allows for a more holistic evaluation of pupils' work in Science and Technology. Rather than relying solely on traditional methods like multiple-choice tests or rigid marking schemes, teachers can now assess entire projects, experiments, or design solutions. This method aligns closely with the curriculum's goal of developing learners who can apply scientific principles to real-world problems.
Assessing Scientific Inquiry Skills
One of the key strengths of RM Compare in Science assessment is its ability to capture the quality of scientific inquiry. Teachers can evaluate how well pupils formulate hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions. The comparative approach allows for a nuanced assessment of these complex skills, recognizing that effective scientific thinking can manifest in various ways.
Evaluating Technological Design and Innovation
In Technology education, RM Compare proves particularly valuable for assessing design projects and innovative solutions. Teachers can compare different design proposals or prototypes, considering factors such as creativity, functionality, and adherence to design briefs. This approach encourages pupils to think outside the box and rewards innovative problem-solving.
Supporting Interdisciplinary STEM Projects
The new curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, and RM Compare supports this approach in STEM subjects. Teachers can assess projects that span multiple disciplines, evaluating how well pupils integrate knowledge from different areas of science and technology. This holistic assessment encourages pupils to see the interconnections between different STEM fields.
Capturing the Engineering Design Process
RM Compare allows teachers to assess the entire engineering design process, from initial concept to final product. By comparing different stages of a project, educators can evaluate pupils' ability to iterate, refine, and improve their designs based on feedback and testing. This aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on developing resilient and reflective learners.
Assessing Digital Competence in STEM
As digital skills become increasingly important in STEM fields, RM Compare offers a platform for assessing these competencies. Teachers can evaluate pupils' use of digital tools for data analysis, modeling, or presentation. The comparative approach allows for a more nuanced assessment of digital literacy within a scientific context.
Promoting Sustainable Thinking in STEM
The new curriculum emphasizes the importance of sustainability and environmental awareness. RM Compare enables teachers to assess how well pupils incorporate these considerations into their scientific and technological work. Whether it's evaluating the environmental impact of a design solution or assessing a project on renewable energy, the tool allows for a comprehensive evaluation of pupils' engagement with sustainability issues.
Supporting Formative Assessment in STEM
RM Compare is not just for summative assessment; it excels in supporting ongoing, formative assessment practices. Teachers can use the tool to provide regular feedback on pupils' work, helping them understand their progress and areas for improvement in their scientific and technological skills. This aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on assessment for learning, encouraging pupils to take ownership of their STEM education.
Collaborative Moderation in STEM Subjects
RM Compare opens up new possibilities for collaborative assessment in Science and Technology. Teachers can engage in moderation exercises, comparing their judgements with colleagues to build a shared understanding of quality in pupils' work. This collaborative approach not only enhances consistency in assessment but also contributes to the professional development of STEM educators.
The Future of STEM Assessment
As Science and Technology education continues to evolve, so too must assessment practices. RM Compare is at the forefront of this evolution, offering a flexible platform that can adapt to emerging priorities in STEM education. Future developments may include features for assessing virtual or augmented reality projects, or evaluating pupils' engagement with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence or biotechnology.
Conclusion: Nurturing Tomorrow's Innovators
By adopting RM Compare for Science and Technology assessment, Welsh teachers are embracing a more sophisticated approach to evaluating STEM skills. This approach not only aligns with the new curriculum's vision but also prepares pupils for the complex, interdisciplinary challenges of modern scientific and technological fields. As educators continue to explore the possibilities offered by RM Compare, they are helping to shape a generation of innovative, critical thinkers ready to tackle the scientific and technological challenges of the future.