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• tambk001@hartfordschools.org

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 MODEL

Engagement

Exploration

Explanation

Elaboration

Evaluation

(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