Evaluating Inquiry

The authors have provided an easy way to judge how much control or the level of inquiry you provide students with during any particular lab. The examples demonstrate how one lab might be mod... See More

The authors have provided an easy way to judge how much control or the level of inquiry you provide students with during any particular lab. The examples demonstrate how one lab might be modified along the continuum and how similar levels of difficulty can be compared between a teacher controlled lesson vs a student controlled one. The trajectories described to introduce students to inquiry could also, easily, be used to introduce yourself to the development of inquiry instruction. While the topic is of value to anyone and the article is well-written, I believe only secondary and undergraduate instructors would understand the examples provided.

Taking Inquiry to the Next Level

This article provides information on the different levels of inquiry that teachers can select to provide students with hands-on, minds-on learning experiences. Since the research supports i... See More

This article provides information on the different levels of inquiry that teachers can select to provide students with hands-on, minds-on learning experiences. Since the research supports inquiry learning, teachers will find this article helpful in determining the most appropriate level of inquiry based on types of laboratory activities they plan to use. The authors call their rubric an inquiry trajectory. By applying the rubric, teachers can evaluate the level of inquiry and several trajectories to increase inquiry levels for a specific activity. The authors hope to instill confidence in teachers unfamiliar with the different types of inquiry. As a result of using the suggestions in this article, teachers will find it easier to modify cookbook (structured inquiry) labs into more open inquiry investigations, thus providing their students with greater opportunities to experience the science processes.