The use and value of prior knowledge assessments in in ecology curriculum design

Prior knowledge tests were carried out on undergraduates in a second year ' Principles of Ecology' course at Lincoln University, New Zealand. The same test was repeated at the end of the course, helping to indicate how success ful the course had been in improving students' knowledge. This identified s trong and weak areas in the students' understanding of ecology, and clarifi ed which parts of the course were being taught well, and which were not. Th e use of prior knowledge tests, and the application of their findings, appe ars to be rare at university level, but has great potential, especially at a time when universities are under increasing scrutiny.