Science Inquiry Notes
Transcript of Science Inquiry Notes
INQUIRY-DISCOVERY
The term "inquiry" is associated with an open-ended and ongoing process while the term "discovery" appears to focus on the end product.
some views on inquiry:
• "... see inquiry as an exercise of the mind."• "... the essentials of inquiry are design and
debate. "• "... inquiry is a way of knowing. "• "... nature of inquiry is not in the posing of
questions, but in the process of... "• "... inquiry is a tool for constructing personal
meanings of science concepts,..."• " ...from the science perspective, inquiry
oriented instruction engages pupils in the investigative nature of science."
Those who inquire exert “ an effort to discover something new to the inquirer, though not something new to the world.
Inquiry
DISCOVERY• a student who is able to
acquire a new fact, concept, principle, or solution through the inquiry , then the student is making a discovery.
DistinctionDiscovery Learning• The students are
provided with data.
• Ascertain the particular principle hidden in the lesson objective through questioning.
Inquiry Learning• The goal is for
students to develop their own strategies
• To manipulate and process information.
INQUIRY-DISCOVERY ORIENTATED SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
• “ Inquiry is the [set] of behaviours involved in the struggle of human beings for reasonable explanations of phenomena about which they are curious."
• So, inquiry involves activity and skills, but the focus is on the active search for knowledge or understanding to satisfy a curiosity.
Continue …..• Focus on inquiry always involves: collection and interpretation of
information in response to wondering and exploring.
Children using their senses to observe and using instruments to extend the power of their senses
Children work on their own to discover basic principles.
• the heart of the inquiry in teaching-learning science is a positive environment that encourages, supports and nurtures pupils on their learning paths.
..old saying
• Tell me and I forget, • Show me I remember, • Involve me and I
understand
Figure 1: The inquiry process
Discovery Learning-encompasses SCIENTIFIC MODEL.
Students IDENTIFY PROBLEMS, GENERATE HYPOTHESES, TEST EACH HYPOTHESES
against collected data, and APPLY CONCLUSIONS to
new situations. The purpose of this type of
instruction is to teach students thinking skills.
The roles of the teacher• Helper• Facilitator• Motivator• Manager• interested • Listener• Challenger• evaluator.
Children inquire when they are given :• hands-on learning opportunities• appropriate materials to
manipulate• Puzzling circumstances or
problems for motivation• Enough structure to help them
focus or maintain a productive direction
Some Ways of Introducing a Science Inquiry Lesson• Using an investigative problem-
solving approach• Using discrepant events (with
demonstration)• Anecdote (without demonstration)• Problem presentation• Interpretation of given data• Video presentation
Implication to classroom teaching• provide multiple representations or perspectives;• provide conceptual interrelatedness;• present real-world, realistic and relevant contexts
using authentic tasks;• focus on knowledge construction, not reproduction;• encourage active pupil involvement and
participation with teacher's scaffolding whenever necessary;
• encourage, support and nurture pupil inquiry;• encourage reflective practice;• encourage collaborative and cooperative
construction of knowledge; and• take into consideration a pupil's learning style,
initial mental models, beliefs and attitudes.