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

1. Effective Inquiry Instruction Using TechnologyMSA 2012Kirsten Devlin, Magnet Theme Coach

2. Introduction/Contact • Handouts • WikiSpace: www.environmentalsciences.wikispaces.org • Webite: www.environmentalsciencesmagnet.org • Kirsten Devlin, Magnet Theme Coach • tambk001@hartfordschools.org440 Broadview TerraceHartford, CT 06106860-695-3760

3. 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

4. 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. 5-E Model FIVE PHASES OF 5-E MODEL Engagement Exploration Explanation Elaboration Evaluation (Carin, Bass & Contant, 2005)

6. Another Simplified Model • Exploration • Investigation/Experimentation • Communication ~Based on Exploratorium Institute of inquiry

7. Inquiry continuum • Misconception: Inquiry is a completely student driven process. • Actually can be broken into 4 levels:

8. 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

9. 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 wonder I notice

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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/

14. 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

15. 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

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

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

18. R _________________________________________ _

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

20. 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

21. Ipad/Ipod Apps • Free and foster Inquiry: • NASA Evernote • Evernote Peek google earth • Project Noah Mars globe • Brainpop • 3D Cellstain • Planets • Weatherbug • Leafsnap

22. Free & Awesome! • Journey North • NOAA • Discovery School • NASA • Discovery Kids • NASA • Fossweb (climate weather) • Teachersdomain

23. 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