Using three-tier test to diagnose students’ level of understanding

Abstract

Abstract Assessment activities can help lecturer to understand the strengths and weaknesses experienced by students in learning. By implementing quality assessments and analyzing them to get information about student learning weaknesses, lecturers have a reference to make effective decisions in the learning process. Ability to understand is very important to solve physics problem. Geometric optics is a concept that occur in our daily life. In contrary, it doesn’t ensure students have correct concept about geometric optics. The purpose of this study is to diagnose students’ level of understanding in geometric optics concept. This study used mixed method design. The sample used in this study was Mechanical Engineering students who took Engineering Physics courses. Based on test result data using paired sample t-test, the average score was obtained from 39.08 to 75.76 (p <0.01). The results of data analysis from the three-tier test diagnostic instrument showed that there are 4 level of students’ understanding such as understand, guess, misconception, and don’t understand the concept. This study revealed the students’ difficulties such as students were not been able to analyze terms and conditions of f = R 2 and light refraction in half covered lens.