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Importance of critical thinking to the lives of students
Case study on critical thinking
Case study on critical thinking
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Inquiry is an interactive way of learning. Students are actively engaged in their studies. Inquiry involves student-centered activities focusing on questioning, exploring, and posing explanations. The goal of inquiry is to introduce a new way of learning where students can learn about the world around them through active engagement in real-life examples. Inquiry based learning can be incorporated into all academic subjects throughout the curriculum. Science could possibly be the most effective subject to incorporate inquiry.
In Science, teachers serve as the facilitator of learning, guiding them through the inquiry process. Teachers must ask open-ended questions, allow time for the students to answer, avoid telling students what to do, avoid discouraging students’ ideas or behaviors, encourage to find solutions on their own, encourage collaboration, maintain high standards and order, develop inquiry-based assessments to monitor students’ progress, and know that inquiry may be challenging for some students so be prepared to provide more guidance. There are three types of Science inquiry: structured, guided, and open. Structured is the most teacher-centered form of inquiry. This type of inquiry is mainly seen in laboratory exercises where the teacher needs to provide structure, however the students are the ones who conduct the experiment and find conclusions. Guided inquiry is where the students are given tools to develop a process and find the results. As an example, the teacher would instruct the students to build a rocket, but not tell them how to design it. This leaves creativity and uniqueness for the students to be able to apply their knowledge and skills. Open inquiry is when students determine the problem, i...
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...achievement. The inquiry process is engaging and interactive. Students are learning, not only more science, but the study of the world around them. For all students, especially those with diverse backgrounds and learning disabilities, it is essential for inquiry to be provided with direct instruction, classroom support, and a guided process.
References
Haury, D. (1993). Teaching science through inquiry. ERIC, Retrieved from http://www.ericdigests.org/1993/inquiry.htm
Synergy Learning. (1995, March-April). Inquiry based science. Connect Magazine, p.13, Retrieved from http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/resources/classroom/inquiry_based.html
The Access Center. (n.d.). Science inquiry: the link to accessing the general education curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/ScienceInquiry_accesscurriculum.asp
The process of scientific inquiry begins with the motivation to uncover the answer to a question. It then requires extensive research to gather all the information that could possibly be useful. Finally, one must put all the pieces of the puzzle together to make sense of all the information gathered and interpret it to answer the question. The last step is to write out what has been learned and publicize it to spread the new knowledge. There are many other factors, however, that also come into play in the process of scientific inquiry.
Teaching theories are as much part of the classroom as the student and the teacher. The effect individual theories have on an environment depends how they are incorporated within the classroom in addition to the influence they have had on the curriculum construction. This essay will briefly look at how motivation theory, cognitive and social cognitive theory along with constructivism have impacted on education and the classroom.
Table 2.2 describes these variations. I created activities that were concrete and straightforward. The investigations were a tool for me to connect students to abstract concepts such as force and motion. McDonald et al. (2002, p. 5) believes that “learners need access to the world in order to connect the knowledge in their head with the knowledge in the world”. To give this access, teachers need practices such as hand-on investigations. Each investigation was aligned with Newton’s Laws of Motion. The concepts in the investigations were observable, and students not only designed the investigations, but they were able to observe the scientific phenomenon through carrying out multiple trials. I chose activities that were not overly challenging or too easy and were suited to the skill and knowledge level of the 7th and 8th grade students. By using the recommendations of Colburn (2000) with structured-inquiry learning segments, students in my study had more control of their
In creating this artifact, I collaborated with a teacher and created an inquiry lesson based on a unit of study. I first created a backwards plan that included a project that resulted from student posed questions. In creating this plan, I ensured deep meaningful learning by incorporating proven strategies that promote student engagement.
Inquiry-based learning is supported when educators are co-learners with children as they develop, supporting and extending on a child’s own attempts at understanding. This knowledge can be broadened by ensuring that children have the time, space and resources to become deeply involved in their investigations and there are opportunities for reflections during and after activities (Touhill, 2012a). Furthermore, it is imperative that the physical environment contains spaces as well as materials that encourage a child’s curiosity and investigation (Touhill, 2012a). By providing interesting and engaging materials educators are able to provide stimulus for children’s investigation and
We need ____? What happens if we _____? Knowing the questions to ask is the most important part of scientific method. The questions are stated and many times are meant to be a source of discussion and stimulation according to Neil Salkinds text Exploring research move a specific research project in a direction. He also stated that they rarely come from a classroom or Lab but from individual experiences and/or imagination. They also draw from earlier research. (Salkind, 2012)
Inquiry Learning is a way to make the student find their own answers for their questions (Lakes Matyas, Ph.D). Posing a question for the students is a way to get them started. Then, by guiding the students on their own different searches, they all come together in the end to share their findings to answer the question.
Guided discovery approach to science learning emphasize how to find answers, as well as what can be learned. There are several characteristics of guided discovery science which includes valuing and rewarding curiosity as a valid learning tool. Discovery science encourages students to creativity attempt to try to solve a problem which can lead to a better retention of the concepts attained. Discovery learning also gradually replaces child’s intuitive explanations of the unknown helping the child retain both profound and beautiful aspects of natural occurrences. Additionally, it provides a means of focusing the attention of the restless child, the anxious child, and the bored child. It is interactive and appealing for resistant learners as it allows more physical and social involvement than the more structured forms of schoolwork. Discovery science provides an intriguing path to the goal of developing children’s intellectual potential. It also
Posing questions on materials covered and the quality of materials selected can create the desired environment for students to thrive. I want to inspire my students to think outside the box and to ask questions. Society needs thinkers not robots. The classroom plays an important part in aiding the growth of an individual. It is my duty as a teacher to impart knowledge because ideas have a way of changing lives. Examining and discussing ideas with students allows them to move to a new level of understanding, so that ultimately, they may be transformed.
Providing the explicit information they need through instruction is practical because it takes into account cognitive load theory, the link between working memory and long-term memory. Studies observing students in a classroom discovered that “when students learn science in classrooms with pure-discovery methods and minimal feedback, they often become lost and frustrated, and their confusion can lead to misconceptions” due to the lack of instruction (Kirschner et al., 2006). On the other hand, studies involving strongly guided learning showed that students learn more deeply and their quality of education is improved when they are given instruction and feedback on their work. Instructed learning provides a superior quality and amount of learning because it decreases cognitive load, provides worked examples that show students how to solve a problem, and employs methods such as process worksheets which assists students in providing more accurate answers than students who rely on discovery learning (Kirscher et al.,
UniServe Science. (2004). Alternative strategies for science teaching and assessment. Retrieved March 7, 2004 from http://science.uniserve.edu.au/school/support/strategy.html
They also need this relationship to be able to plan their lesson effectively. For children, understanding the nature and process of science is dependent upon their developmental level and the experiences teachers provide for them. Children can begin to understand what science is, who does science, and how scientists work through classroom activities, stories about scientists, and class discussions. Teachers should provide children with many opportunities to make observations with all their senses, to look for patterns in what they observe, and to share with others what they did and what they learnt from their
Children in grades 3 through 5 are moving from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" and from "learning to write" to "writing to communicate". Students learn to work independently. They learn to read words and make mental pictures. Third through fifth graders also learn to write paragraphs, short essays and stories that make a point. The curriculum becomes more integrated. "Reading to learn" helps third through fifth graders better understand the scientific method and how to test hypotheses about the physical world. Additionally, "reading to learn" aids students in graphing and calculating scientific observations and then writing up their conclusions. Third grade science class will open new worlds of wonder and invite curious mind to explore (Williams, 2012).
Closed ended questions can be used to quiz if students understanding the basic principles behind the learning outcomes. The use of effective open ended questioning should be used during discussions with students to obtain a deeper level of understanding. Marsh (p. 188 – 189, 2010). Petty mentions how questioning should encourage all students to think. He goes on to say that students should be given time to respond to the question asked and praise if correct answers given. (2009, p. 193). But traditional questioning has its limitations as can be hard to include all of the class. Assertive questioning on the other hand is more active and engaging for the students. It is the pair or group work that that make assertive questioning all inclusive. It shares student knowledge on a topic and helps weaker students to learn by doing. (Petty, 2009, p. 282 - 284).
I would like to teach K-3. I believe that these years of education is very crucial for learning and developing their skills. Inquiry-based learning will only enhance these curious students to explore, share ideas and ask questions. Our role as a teacher will help identify needed resources and monitor, guide the students inquiry. Children learn by doing.