Effective Inquiry Instruction Using Technology MSA 2012 Kirsten Devlin, Magnet Theme Coach

Effective Inquiry Instruction Using TechnologyMSA 2012

Kirsten Devlin, Magnet Theme Coach

Introduction/Contact

• Handouts• WikiSpace:

www.environmentalsciences.wikispaces.org• Webite: www.environmentalsciencesmagnet.org•Kirsten Devlin, Magnet Theme Coach• [email protected]

440 Broadview TerraceHartford, CT 06106860-695-3760

ESM• Located in Hartford, CT.

• Serves Prek-8th grade

• Currently 350 students. Next year 600.

• 6 hours of weekly of science in each grade level plus an environmental sciences elective.

• 2 resident scientists- on staff full time.

• Facilities include: aquatics lab, butterfly vivarium, science interactive theater, greenhouse, nature trail

What is Inquiry? • making observation

• posing questions• examining books and other sources of information to see what is

already known in light of experimental evidence

• using tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data

• proposing answers, explanations, and predictions;

• communicating the results.

Inquiry requires identification of assumptions, use of critical and logical thinking, and consideration of alternative explanations. ~1996 National Science Education Standards

5-E Model

FIVE PHASES OF 5-E MODELEngagementExplorationExplanationElaborationEvaluation

(Carin, Bass & Contant, 2005)

Another Simplified Model

• Exploration• Investigation/Experimentation• Communication

~Based on Exploratorium Institute of inquiry

Inquiry continuum

• Misconception: Inquiry is a completely student driven process.

• Actually can be broken into 4 levels:

So how can technology help this process?

• Engaging for many students• Efficient• Accurate• Able to recreate and revise many parts of the

process • Simulate experiences

Let’s Explore

• Make a T- chart I notice/I wonder• Watch the simulation and write at least 3 of

each.• NOAA Visualizations: http

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ual22znKM10

I notice I wonder

Examples of “notices” from grades 3/4

• I notice that the hurricanes are named• I notice that hurricanes are named

alphabetically• I notice that the hurricanes spin the same

direction every time.• I notice that hurricanes start at the bottom of

the screen and move to the top.

Examples of “wonders” grades 3/4

• I wonder where the names come from?• I wonder how big the biggest hurricane is?• I wonder why they spin in the same direction?• I wonder why they start in the south?• I wonder why they seem to just appear? How

do they start?

Next Steps…moving towards experimenting/investigation

• Use the web to answer the questions that are high interest but knowledge level concepts.http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/tropical.php

• Answer these questions to hook students even more.• Allows you set up the questions you really want

them to answer.• This form of guided inquiry still allows students to

own their questions while narrows questioning to align with teacher’s goals.

Experimenting/Investigating

• Pose the wonder questions that guide them through content.

• Bring in hands-on/minds-on activities that break down the concept.

• Example: I wonder how hurricanes form?– hands-on activities: convection currents in water, contained

convection currents in air, low pressure/high pressure activities etc.

– Connect to analyzing the tracks of hurricanes and looking at ocean temperatures. (Google Earth)

– http://www.srh.noaa.gov/gis/kml/

Experimenting/Investigating

– Bringing in texts and videos to build concept– JASON Storm Tracker to further develop the

concept and solidify• http://

www.jason.org/gated/content/formats/digitallab/DigitalLabsAndGames.aspx

• http://www.jason.org/public/WhatIs/CurrOMSGames.aspx

• http://www.jason.org/gated/digital_library/pages/DigitalLibraryResourceView.aspx?rpid=1355

Communicate

• Wikispaces as a tool to communicate on wind and pressure

• http://tworiverswindmuseum.wikispaces.com/Class+4+Wind

• http://tworiversscience.wikispaces.com/message/view/Class+1/24220767

Communicating

• Lab reports-Microsoft office and the like• Podcasts-Audacity• Wikispaces• Social Network sites: Edmodo

Engagement Examples

• Using Ipads with Prek-2nd grade• The Nature of ESM Book• Fine tune observation skills.

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Other Examples

• BridgeBuilder: Free simulation software• http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/index.htm

• Algodoo: Used to have free version. Now get on demo

• http://www.algodoo.com/wiki/Home• More communication with Wiki’s:

http://tworiversscience.wikispaces.com/message/view/Class+1/24369261

Ipad/Ipod Apps

• Free and foster Inquiry:– NASA Evernote– Evernote Peek google earth– Project Noah Mars globe– Brainpop– 3D Cellstain– Planets– Weatherbug– Leafsnap

Free & Awesome!

• Journey North• NOAA• Discovery School• NASA• Discovery Kids• NASA• Fossweb (climate weather)• Teachersdomain

Online Pay Resources

• Most reliable• Usually worth their money if utilized

– Encyclopedia Britannica- many options for leveled readers– Gizmos- Log on:– AWS- – GLOBE-GIS– United Streaming– Brainpop