Instrument development for 21st century skills in Biology

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable instrument for measuring 21st century skills towards biology among Malaysian secondary school students using the application of Rasch Model. The sample of this study consisted of 433 form four students who are currently taking Biology as one of their elective subject. The instrument was developed to determine five constructs: digital age literacy, inventive thinking, effective communication, high productivity and spiritual values. The first four constructs was adapted from enGauge 21st century skills while the last construct was created to suit Malaysian education philosophy. Using a survey design, data were analysed based on Rasch Model for polytomous data via the computer application, WINSTEPS 3.69.1.11. The result shows that the instrument has a very high item reliability (0.91-0.98) and high person separation reliability (4.16-2.31). However for the spiritual values construct, the separation value is lower than 2.0 representing less variation and consistency of respondents. Based on the result, this instrument is beneficial for educators who are interested to evaluate the 21st century skills in term of improving student's readiness in facing a global world. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.