http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2...030911.php
“Children who are taught how to think and act like scientists develop a clearer understanding of the subject, a study has shown.
The research project led by The University of Nottingham and The Open University has shown that school children who took the lead in investigating science topics of interest to them gained an understanding of good scientific practice.
The study shows that this method of 'personal inquiry' could be used to help children develop the skills needed to weigh up misinformation in the media, understand the impact of science and technology on everyday life and help them to make better personal decisions on issues including diet, health and their own effect on the environment.”
Original report: http://www.pi-project.ac.uk/publications...ution.docx
Abstract:
“The aim of the project was to support children aged 11-14 in coming to understand themselves and their world through scripted personal inquiry learning. With the aid of software running on both mobile and desktop computers children were able to investigate issues that affect their lives, across different settings - including the classroom, their homes, and discovery centres - through a scientific process of gathering and assessing evidence, conducting experiments and engaging in informed debate. A computer toolkit, named nQuire, was designed to enable scripted inquiry learning, where scripts are computer programs, like dynamic lesson plans, that guide and support the learners through an inquiry learning process by providing them with a set of structured activities, data probes, visualisations of data, and means of communication. An authoring component of nQuire enables a teacher or educational designer to select, author and modify the scripts and to monitor and guide the student activity. Seven school-based trials were conducted to evaluate the combination of technology and pedagogy, on topics of: urban heat islands (twice in two successive years), heart rate and fitness, microclimates, healthy eating, sustainability, and effect of noise pollution on birds. Results from one trial that compared outcomes with those of a control class showed a positive effect on learning outcomes and a maintained enjoyment of science lessons. Interviews with participants across the trials provided evidence of increased understanding of the inquiry learning process by children and teachers alike.”
Software: http://www.nquire.org.uk/
Project site: http://www.pi-project.ac.uk/
“Children who are taught how to think and act like scientists develop a clearer understanding of the subject, a study has shown.
The research project led by The University of Nottingham and The Open University has shown that school children who took the lead in investigating science topics of interest to them gained an understanding of good scientific practice.
The study shows that this method of 'personal inquiry' could be used to help children develop the skills needed to weigh up misinformation in the media, understand the impact of science and technology on everyday life and help them to make better personal decisions on issues including diet, health and their own effect on the environment.”
Original report: http://www.pi-project.ac.uk/publications...ution.docx
Abstract:
“The aim of the project was to support children aged 11-14 in coming to understand themselves and their world through scripted personal inquiry learning. With the aid of software running on both mobile and desktop computers children were able to investigate issues that affect their lives, across different settings - including the classroom, their homes, and discovery centres - through a scientific process of gathering and assessing evidence, conducting experiments and engaging in informed debate. A computer toolkit, named nQuire, was designed to enable scripted inquiry learning, where scripts are computer programs, like dynamic lesson plans, that guide and support the learners through an inquiry learning process by providing them with a set of structured activities, data probes, visualisations of data, and means of communication. An authoring component of nQuire enables a teacher or educational designer to select, author and modify the scripts and to monitor and guide the student activity. Seven school-based trials were conducted to evaluate the combination of technology and pedagogy, on topics of: urban heat islands (twice in two successive years), heart rate and fitness, microclimates, healthy eating, sustainability, and effect of noise pollution on birds. Results from one trial that compared outcomes with those of a control class showed a positive effect on learning outcomes and a maintained enjoyment of science lessons. Interviews with participants across the trials provided evidence of increased understanding of the inquiry learning process by children and teachers alike.”
Software: http://www.nquire.org.uk/
Project site: http://www.pi-project.ac.uk/
Edited: 2011-03-09, 5:20 pm
