Inference

This article explains the difference between inference and observation by showing an example of looking at a picture of a tree and talking about what you see. Finson states that an inference... See More

This article explains the difference between inference and observation by showing an example of looking at a picture of a tree and talking about what you see. Finson states that an inference is one’s best explanation for why something occurred; an observation is information about an object or event (Finson, 2010, p.45). In addition, Finson provides five useful tips for the teacher to understand the definition of inference and how to teach students the importance of quality inferences more thoroughly. Those tips include that the quality of the inferences depends on the observations on which it is based. The more observations students make, the more accurate the inference is likely to be. Also, inferences are only one of many possible explanations. When students meet the difficulty in the process of making an inference, the teacher can ask questions like “ Is there a good alternative to explain what you observe?”, which may help students to think more. Inferences are not always correct, prior knowledge has an effect on inferences, and the teacher should help students check the assumptions they use when making inferences, preventing false assumptions leads to false inferences. As far as I am concerned, this is a great article which helps me to distinguish the difference between the observation and the inference. I will definitely use the activity of asking students to see a drawing and ask them to share their opinions about the drawing, then analyze whether the student's point of view is the observation or the inference together with them. I believe that students can see and understand the difference between the inference and the observation through this activity, and it will also provide them with the ability to process higher order thinking skills.

Review

This article was very simple yet very informational. It provides good examples of both inferences and observations. Knowing the difference between both inferences and observations is helpf... See More

This article was very simple yet very informational. It provides good examples of both inferences and observations. Knowing the difference between both inferences and observations is helpful for both teachers and students. The terms can be mixed up, but this article would help someone who may not understand the difference.

Amazing

I have used the activities listed in this article during reading. However I have never thought about as it relates to science. I enjoyed reading this article because it made it very plain to... See More

I have used the activities listed in this article during reading. However I have never thought about as it relates to science. I enjoyed reading this article because it made it very plain to see that students have the need to understand the difference between inferring skills and observation. Helping students to see the difference between the two provides them with the ability to process higher order thinking skills.

Getting It Right -- Improving Inferences

After first differentiating between an observation and an inference, this author introduces a chart that lists inferences that come from observations about a drawing of a tree. The author c... See More

After first differentiating between an observation and an inference, this author introduces a chart that lists inferences that come from observations about a drawing of a tree. The author continues with five tips about inferences. This tips include comments such as inferences are as good as the observation, inferences are only one of many possible explanations, inferences are not always correct, inferences are influenced by prior knowledge, and educators need to examine student inferences in an effort to help students apply them correctly. He elaborates on each of his five tips.

The basics of observation and inference

This article presents a basic understanding of observation and inference. The content could be easily made into a lesson plan that could be used to discuss these skill that younger students... See More

This article presents a basic understanding of observation and inference. The content could be easily made into a lesson plan that could be used to discuss these skill that younger students typically struggle with.

Five Tips for Teachers

In his article, Finson provides teachers with five valuable tips for helping students make sense of and understand the differences between inferences and observations in order to know how to... See More

In his article, Finson provides teachers with five valuable tips for helping students make sense of and understand the differences between inferences and observations in order to know how to use each science process skill appropriately. I tend to agree with his statement, “teachers are quick to use them with their students and sometimes too quick to assume their students readily know the difference” (Finson, 2010, p.45). Without some direct modeling and practice, students are likely to not completely understand how and why to observe and appropriate inferences that could be made from those observations. I particularly like his first tip on needing to look beyond the simple definitions of the words and model and discuss what the differences look like. Finson also points out that inferences should be based on good observations; the better the observations, the better the inference. The most relevant and important tip is five. “As teachers, we need to help our students examine the assumptions they use when making inferences” (Finson, 2010, p.47). A student’s inference also says a lot about the level of understanding he or she may hold regarding a particular topic. It is imperative for teachers to pay attention to their students’ observations and inferences to discover errors in their thinking, as well as greater levels of understanding.

Background Information for Teachers

This article provides good background information for teachers on the difference between an observation and an inference. Reading this article might help a teacher grasp a better understand... See More

This article provides good background information for teachers on the difference between an observation and an inference. Reading this article might help a teacher grasp a better understanding of the difference between the two and what implications this has for instruction.

Teaching students to recognize an inference.

One of the building blocks of the inquiry process is making solid, unbiased observations. This article features an activity to help students practice and understand the difference between a... See More

One of the building blocks of the inquiry process is making solid, unbiased observations. This article features an activity to help students practice and understand the difference between an inference and an observation. The author also points out several vital "tips" that indicate the limitations and properties of inferences. This is a very simple, yet effective activity that would be essential to prepare students for inquiry based learning.