Problem Solving Inquiry based Learning Thinking skills

How to involve: • Problem Solving • Inquiry based Learning • Thinking skills In Science

Minds on Hands on

Data is not information, Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not understanding, Understanding is not wisdom. — Clifford Stoll

What is scientific inquiry?

Stages of Inquiry Structured Guided Student Initiated Inquiry Inquiry Inquiry

Structured inquiry Teacher models and guides students Students follow specific teacher directions as they engage in hands-on discovery activities. Students focus on an aspect of inquiry and teacher provides connection to the larger problem. Teacher guides reasoning through discussion.

Teacher models and guides students Guided Inquiry Students determine procedure of investigation which has been chosen by teacher. Students focus on all aspects of investigation as teacher guides the connections. Teacher guides reasoning through discussion.

Student-Initiated Inquiry Students generate questions from a topic selected by teacher and design own investigations. Teacher defines learning goals. Students focus on all aspects of scientific inquiry and investigation. Teacher guides reasoning only if necessary as students solve problems.

The Pathway Science is the textbook, library reports, worksheets. Students have no control on the path of learning. They just manipulate what is given them Science is students replicating experiments. Students do investigations which lead to student discoveries. Students determine the path towards the solution under teacher’s guide. Science is demonstrations done for the students. Students conduct open-ended investigations to answer teacher generated questions. Students have control over a range of the areas defined by teachers. They Ask, They perform, They Conclude Students conduct open-ended investigations to answer their own questions.

What is the conceptions of Scientific Inquiry Questioning Concluding logically Collecting the data through the investigation Designing a procedure to find the answer

Problem Solving

The Advantages It promotes: • Team work • Creative thinking • Individualization And most importantly: • Motivates the students to learn

What are your concerns

Teachers Have Concerns • We are behind in the covering the curriculum. I don’t have time for this. • My Students are not well behaved, even when they are sitting and I am lecturing, Don’t even think about giving freedom to discuss a problem • I cant learn these new strategies in conducting the inquiry based lessons. Don’t have time for the lesson planning. • Where from can I find the resources • How can I assess every individual. • Do I need to do this every time or can I lecture as well

Let’s have a look at three different activities at three different stages of inquiry

Three activities at three different levels of Inquiry • Who committed the crime? • Heart break or heartburn? • Factors affecting the heart rate

Your Responsibility • Time keeper • Scriber • Spokes person • Facilitator (organizer)

Now what do you think?

An inquiry-based science classroom exhibits: • Teachers asking questions that encourage inquiry and stimulate thinking. • Students interacting purposefully with each other and the teacher, leading to effective communication. • Students gaining a greater understanding of the purpose of learning. • Ongoing assessment. PBS ScienceLine

So do I have to this all the time? Sometimes I need to give some information to my students. Is this wrong ?

True or False You never teach kids facts. You never stand up and lecture. All you do is discovery learning. You cannot inquire about something unless you have a basis upon which to found it.

So We Need to: Create a balance between teaching strategies, student-driven investigations, and teacher direction.

Implement Science Inquiry/PBL In Your Classroom • Select a science topic from curriculum. • Find out the resources and explore science content. • Develop lesson objectives. • Prepare materials and equipment. • Organize classroom. • Establish ground rules.

Implement Science Inquiry In Your Classroom • Assess student prior knowledge. • Manage your time • Be a facilitator. • Address misconceptions. • Assess the students learning regularly

GOOD LUCK!

Problem Solving Inquiry based Learning Thinking skills