Assessing competency levels of students on learning of energy and weather concepts using partial credit model

Abstract

This research described a competence levels of students on learning natural sciences in elementary school. Specifically, we measure student’s capacity in understanding of energy and weather concepts. This research involved 64 students on elementary school. The data takes from class promotion test with consisting multiple choice questions (MCQ) and Essay Test. Data analysis was produced using the Partial Credit Model (PCM) Rasch measurement. The Rasch PCM specifies that each item has its own scale rating structure, so the two test types can be analysed simultaneously. The results showed that in general the students had difficulty to concluding the observation that the motion of the object was influenced by its shape and size; and pointed out of the relation between cloud and weather conditions. On the separate part, students clearly realize how to conserve the energy in everyday life; and interpret the effects of weather for human life. Furthermore, the MCQ test is problematic than the Essay Test for students. The average male student has better ability than the female students to comprehend the learning materials.