Conducting guided inquiry in science classes using authentic, archived, web-based data

UÇAR S., Trundle K. C.

COMPUTERS & EDUCATION, cilt.57, sa.2, ss.1571-1582, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 57 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2011
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.compedu.2011.02.007
  • Dergi Adı: COMPUTERS & EDUCATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1571-1582
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Teaching/learning strategies, Improving classroom teaching, Elementary education, ELEMENTARY TEACHERS CONCEPTIONS, CONSTANT COMPARATIVE METHOD, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, PARTICULATE NATURE, MENTAL MODELS, TECHNOLOGY, UNDERSTANDINGS, EDUCATION, INSTRUCTION, STRATEGIES
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Students are often unable to collect the real-time data necessary for conducting inquiry in science
classrooms. Web-based, real-time data could, therefore, offer a promising tool for conducting scientific
inquiries within classroom environments. This study used a quasi-experimental research design to
investigate the effects of inquiry-based instruction coupled with archived online data. Ninety-six
preservice teachers in a four-year elementary science teacher-training program participated in this study.
The students were enrolled in three sections of the methods course, and these existing groups were
randomly assigned to the treatment groups: traditional instruction, traditional instruction supported
with a simulation, and inquiry-based instruction with archived online data. Data were collected with
structured interviews and analyzed with the constant comparative method and one-way ANOVA. Before
the instructional interventions, none of the participants had a scientific understanding of tides, and 15% of
the participants had no conceptual understanding of tides at all. After instruction, 72% of the participants
who received inquiry-based instruction with archived online data were categorized as having scientific
conceptual understandings; 46% of participants who received traditional instruction supported with
a simulation were categorized as having scientific conceptual understandings; and 43% of participants
who received traditional instruction were categorized as having scientific conceptual understandings.
Statistical analyses showed that the group receiving inquiry-based instruction with archived online data
performed significantly better than the other two instructional groups. Inquiry-based instruction with
archived online data can be used to effectively perform inquiry activities within science classes; it might
be used at different grade levels to teach a variety of scientific content.