Relevant CAT: Conceptual Diagnostic Test

Discipline: Interdisciplinary

Description:
This diagnostic test asks students to report "yes," "no," or "don't know" to a set of 29 research-based misconception questions about the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, and acid rain. The survey was adopted from a questionnaire developed by Jane Dove (1996).

Tool:

Demographic Information First letter of my first name is _______________ First letter of my last name is ________________ I am a: Female --- Male My area of concentration is (please circle one) Science Mathematics Social Studies Language Arts/Humanities History of Art Studio Art Music Other ____________________ Question Section Please circle one response for each of the following questions. Greenhouse Effect 1. Greenhouse gases trap solar radiation, the heat from the sun, into the earth’s atmosphere. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 2. The greenhouse effect is essential for life on the earth. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 3. Holes in the ozone will increase the greenhouse effect. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 4. If the greenhouse effect increases, the average temperature will rise. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 5. If the greenhouse effect increases, more people will have respiratory problems. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 6. The greenhouse effect is primarily the result of human activity. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 7. If the greenhouse effect increases, more people will get skin cancer. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 8. Reduced number of ozone particles in the atmosphere will increase the greenhouse warming effect? Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 9. The greenhouse effect will be reduced if we plant more trees Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 10. As a result of an increased greenhouse effect, the sea level will rise Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 11. The increased greenhouse effect might make plants grow faster? Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. Ozone 12. Ozone controls the earth's temperature Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 13. Ozone protects the earth from acid rain Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 14. Ozone filters out ultra violet (UV) light Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 15. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) cause ozone destruction in the atmosphere Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 16. One cause of ozone depletion is the increased greenhouse effect Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 17. One cause of ozone destruction is due to car emissions (exhausts) in the atmosphere Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 18. Use of some household items causes destruction of ozone Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 19. Pollution from factories is one of the causes of ozone depletion in the atmosphere Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 20. Ozone can be present at ground level Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. Acid Rain 21. Burning some types of coal may lead to the production of acid rain Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 22. Normal rain is acidic Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 23. Acid rain is caused by the increase in the greenhouse effect Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 24. Acid rain can be harmful to plants, animals and humans. Yes No Don't Know Explain your response. 25. What chemicals are responsible for acid rain?

Reprinted with permission from Tahsin Khalid

Authors:
Tahsin Khalid (School of Education, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO)


Selected References:
Khalid, T. (2001). Pre-service Teachers' Misconceptions Regarding Three Environmental Issues. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education. 6.

Khalid, T. (2000). Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Misconceptions Regarding Three Environmental Issues. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Khalid, T. (1999). The Study of Pre-Service Teachers' Alternative Conceptions Regarding Three Ecological Issues. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Boston, Massachusetts. http://www.educ.sfu.ca/narstsite/conference/khalid/khalid.html

Dove, J. (1996). Student teacher understanding of the greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion and acid rain. Environmental Education Research. 2,89-100.