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National Science Education Standards Compare NGSS To Existing State Standards About The Next Generation Science Standards

The document discusses different approaches to inquiry-based learning in science education. It describes inquiry as students manipulating scientific ideas through hands-on exploration to increase their understanding. The National Science Education Standards state that inquiry is central to science learning and that students engaging in inquiry will demonstrate behaviors like asking questions and developing explanations. The document then outlines four approaches to inquiry-based instruction: structured inquiry, guided inquiry, open inquiry, and the learning cycle. It provides an example comparing how the different approaches could be applied to a standard on motion. Finally, it discusses the IDEAL model for problem-solving in science which involves identifying problems, defining them, exploring solutions, acting on a plan, and evaluating effects.

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ROMEL A. ESPONILLA
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55 views

National Science Education Standards Compare NGSS To Existing State Standards About The Next Generation Science Standards

The document discusses different approaches to inquiry-based learning in science education. It describes inquiry as students manipulating scientific ideas through hands-on exploration to increase their understanding. The National Science Education Standards state that inquiry is central to science learning and that students engaging in inquiry will demonstrate behaviors like asking questions and developing explanations. The document then outlines four approaches to inquiry-based instruction: structured inquiry, guided inquiry, open inquiry, and the learning cycle. It provides an example comparing how the different approaches could be applied to a standard on motion. Finally, it discusses the IDEAL model for problem-solving in science which involves identifying problems, defining them, exploring solutions, acting on a plan, and evaluating effects.

Uploaded by

ROMEL A. ESPONILLA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Inquiry means that students are handling science; they are manipulating it, working it into new

shapes and formats, integrating it into every corner of their world, and playing with it in unknown
ways. Inquiry implies that students are in control of an important part of their own learning where
they can manipulate ideas to increase understanding. As students learn to think through the designs
and developments of their own inquiry, they also develop a sense of self-responsibility that transcends
all subject areas.

Many science textbooks portray science as a collection of facts or a body of knowledge for students to
learn. Unfortunately, the impression this may leave with students is that studying science is nothing
more than memorizing facts and mastering theories. On the contrary, there is much room in science
for intuitive, hypothetical, playful, and imaginative forms of learning. In other words, there is room for
inquiry.

"Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose
explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of
students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an
understanding of how scientists study the natural world."

National Science Education Standards


Compare NGSS to Existing State Standards
About the Next Generation Science Standards

The National Science Education Standards state that "inquiry is central to science learning."

These standards point out that students engaging in science inquiry will demonstrate the following
behaviors:

 "Describe objects and events."

 "Ask questions."

 Construct explanations."

 "Test explanations against current scientific knowledge."

 "Communicate their ideas to others."

 "Identify their assumptions."

 "Use critical and logical thinking."

 "Consider alternative explanations."

Approaches to Inquiry

Alan Colburn, in "An Inquiry Primer," defines inquiry as "the creation of a classroom where student are
engaged in essentially open-ended, student-centered, hands-on activities."

Colburn supports that the inquiry-based classroom encompasses several approaches to inquiry-based
instruction. These approaches include Structured Inquiry, Guided Inquiry, Open Inquiry, and Learning
Cycle.
 Structured Inquiry

The teacher establishes parameters and procedures for inquiry. Students are provided with a
hands-on problem to investigate as well as the procedures and materials necessary to
complete the investigation. Students discover relationships between variables or generalize
from data collected, which in essence leads to the discovery of expected outcomes. The value
in using structured inquiry is it allows the instructor to teach students the basics of
investigating as well as techniques of using various equipment and procedures that can be
used in later more complicated investigations. In other words, structured inquiries provide
students with common learning experiences that can be used in guided or open inquiry.
 Guided Inquiry

The teacher provides the problem for investigation as well as the necessary materials.
Students are expected to devise their own procedure to solve the problem.
 Open Inquiry

Open Inquiry has been defined as student-driven. Similar to Guided Inquiry, students
formulate their own problem to solve as well as the procedure. Open Inquiry is analogous to
doing science. Science fair projects are often examples of Open Inquiry.
 Learning Cycle

Students are involved in an activity that introduces a new concept. Afterwards, the teacher
informs the students of the formal name of the concept. Students transfer knowledge of the
concept through application in a different context.

Colburn's Inquiry Approaches in Action

The figure below provides a comparison of Colburn's four approaches to inquiry-based instruction as
applied to one of Florida's Sunshine State Standards that addresses motion (SS.C.1.2.1 The student
understands that the motion of an object can be described and measured).

Approaches to Inquiry-Based Instruction


Structured Inquiry

Students are given a step-by-step procedure, including visual displays


and diagrams for constructing an exhibit demonstrating different
kinds of motion (for example, straight, circular, back and forth).
Questions prompt students to measure and describe motion of various
objects.
Guided Inquiry

Students are provided with various objects, measuring tools, and


other materials. Procedures instruct them to demonstrate different
kinds of motion using the provided materials. Later, they are required
to demonstrate two kinds of motion using objects not yet used.
Finally, students make record of their observations.
Open Inquiry

Students are given various objects, tools for measuring, and other
necessary materials. They are instructed to investigate different kinds
of motion.
Learning Cycle

Students follow guided inquiry procedures followed by teacher-led


discussion of their findings. Concepts such as force and other
variables are introduced. The idea is that students are exposed to the
concepts prior to their introduction. The students eventually return to
the inquiry setting and apply the newly acquired knowledge to a new
situation. For example, they could be given additional objects to
observe and measure the motion of and be asked to analyze the
variables that influence the motion.

Adapted from an example provided by Alan Colburn, An Inquiry Primer, March 2000.

The IDEAL Model

Bransford and Stein (1984) suggest using the IDEAL model for solving problems in science. This
approach to inquiry-based learning employs logical sequencing of procedures that begin with problem
identification and concluding with a reflection of an attempted plan of action.

 'I' for Identify the problem


 'D' for Define and represent the problem
 'E' for Explore alternative approaches
 'A' for Act on a plan
 'L' for Look at the effects

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