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Professional Development through Inquiry By Gerald McCarthy. Teachers in Action. Broad Research Question :. Will Inquiry-based learning improve student achievement in science?. Specific Research Question.
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Professional Development through Inquiry By Gerald McCarthy Teachers in Action
Broad Research Question: Will Inquiry-based learning improve student achievement in science?
Specific Research Question Will WebQuests help improve student achievement when learning about Magnets (Invisible Power)?
What is a WebQuest? A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. WebQuest.org. Department of Educational Technology, San Diego State University. 2008. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
Magnetism Website Overview A Webquest is broken into 6 parts, as listed above.
Classroom Context I teach 3 classes of multiage grade ¾ science. Conducted WebQuest with all 3 classes. All three classes were observed but data were collected only from my class Class size for 3 classes was 18, 19 and 19 students.
Detailed Timeline Research WebQuests(Google/scholarly articles); Send home permission slips; Give students survey about their learning style in science; Show students some already created science Webquests to get them use to the routine; Buy resources I needed for magnets; Do pre-test on Magnetism.
Detailed Timeline Create and upload WebQuest online: http://www.k12.nf.ca/woodlandelem/WebQuest/Action%20Research/Magnets/Magnets.html Have students do the WebQuest on Magnetism that I designed, take video clips and pictures; Evaluate students’ assessments (worksheet, poster); Do post-test on Magnetism; Compare Data.
Science Learning Survey I had students do a pre and post learning survey to see how they liked to learn science, determine if their feelings changed about the way they learn science and also to get a better understanding of my students. The first percentage is the pre-survey and the second percentage is the post-survey.
Learning Survey I like to figure out things? Agree Somewhat Agree 74%/79% 21%/21% Somewhat Disagree Disagree 5%/0% 0%/0% Most students liked to figure out things both before and after the webquest. During survey I explained what “figure out things” meant.
Learning Survey 2. I work better on my own? Agree Somewhat Agree 21%/21% 16%/5% Somewhat Disagree Disagree 42%/53% 21%/21% More students, after the WebQuest, did not want to work on their own.
Learning Survey • 3. I work well with others? • AgreeSomewhat Agree • 32%/47% 32%/42% • Somewhat Disagree Disagree • 16%/11% 21%/0% • After doing the Webquest, more students enjoyed doing group work than before.
Learning Survey • 4. I do better when I work at my own pace? • AgreeSomewhat Agree • 95%/95% 5%/5% • Somewhat Disagree Disagree • 0%/0% 0%/0% • There is no change.
Learning Survey • 5. I am comfortable using the computer/internet? • AgreeSomewhat Agree • 58%/68% 21%/21% • Somewhat Disagree Disagree • 21%/11% 0%/0% • More students are more comfortable using the computer, the internet and sending documents to the printer, than before the WebQuest.
Learning Survey • Choose in order from 1 (most important), 2 (important), 3 (least important) how you like to learn science: • Computer Textbook/Notes Experiments/Hands-on • 37%/42% 0%/0% 63%/58% • There is marginal change before and after the Webquest, students continue to enjoy doing hands-on activities the most, with computers the second preference. • Nobody liked reading or taking notes.
Student Evaluation Students enjoyed creating the posters. I used a rubric to score, which was also on the Webquest website.
Magnetism Pre and Post Quiz The class average of the pre-quiz was 63%. The class average of the post-quiz was 88%. The conclusion is that students learned from the Webquest.
How Students Felt Jack & Michael Sholanda & Madison
How Students Felt Kaitlyn & Kyla Lydia, Hannah & Amy
How Students Felt Cole, Steven & Jules Jamianna & Amelia
Teacher Observations • I found creating the website a lot of work; however, once done it can be used again. • Most students enjoyed doing the Webquest. However, LD students had difficulty reading instructions from Webquest. • Students interest in using computers for science increased. As well, students still enjoyed doing hands-on experiments.
Conclusion In conclusion, based on the data, student observations and interviews, students did achieve more in science using webquests.