Inquiry Learning Projects in Science and Social Studies Using Technology

Creating Learning Opportunities which are Manageable, Meaningful, and Differentiated

ERLCAugust 24, 2010

Daniel.Maas (at) ecsd.nethttp://www.twitter.com/dannymaas

Overview

Big Idea

• While there’s no real recipe here, having a structure of some kind keeps everyone marching to the same beat

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stzXH4HwgtM&playnext_from=TL&videos=O85sLVSFEkw

Learning is Key

Inquiry Learning

Inquiry Learning - Definition

Problem-based

learning approach to inquiry learning

Problem-based

learning approach to inquiry learning

Problem Based Learning

Question to be answered

Question to be answered

• E.g. Grade 5 Social Studies

Elementary Science• Taken from http://education.alberta.ca/media/654825/elemsci.pdf

• Visit http://ietherpad.com/erlc and type 3 words or phrases that come to mind when reading this rationale

• Grade 4 Science: Topic A – Waste in Our World

• Sample essential question:

How can we manage waste in our world?

Question to be answered

Question to be answered

What do you Think?• Discussion topic – How would you generate

the questions?– Essential Question– Subsidiary Questions– Telling Questions

Inquiry Task – Choice 1

Inquiry Task – Choice 2

Inquiry Task – Choice 3

End Product Tools

• StoryJumper – http://www.storyjumper.com• GoAnimate for Education -

http://school.goanimate.com/school/Edmonton • VoiceThread for Education –

http://maasd.ed.voicethread.com • Glogster EDU – http://edu.glogster.com • Tagxedo – http://tagxedo.com• Wordle – http://wordle.net

End Product Criteria• Generate criteria together

Websites for ScienceInformation and Activities

Websites for Social Studies Information and Activities

Differentiation with Inquiry Projects

The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of all Learners By Carol A. Tomlinson

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

• What is UDL? http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

Sample Project Websitehttp://maasd.edublogs.org/inquiry/

Learning Contract

Plan for answering the question

Keeping Your Project on the Rails

• Chunking• Task /Milestone checklist• Extra tasks• Choosing partners/groups• Cross-student sharing/assistance• Learning spaces and supervision

Project Assessment• Establish assessment criteria with students

beforehand• Process as well as end product?

• Rubistar - http://rubistar.4teachers.org/

Choosing an End Product

Based on: Clark, B. (2002). Growing up gifted:Developing the potential of children at home and at school.

Alberta Learning (2004). Focus on Inquiry: A Teacher’s Guide to Implementing Inquiry-based Learning

Work to answer the question

Finding the right curricular resources

for your project

Curricular Resources on the Internet

Having students learn from each

other and celebrate their learning

Demonstrate understanding

Student Sharing - Practices

Celebrate learning

Demonstrate understanding

Peer assessment

Self assessment

Formative assessment

Student Reflection After the Process

Reflection• What were the successes and challenges you

faced when completing your mini inquiry task today?

Reflection

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvbTjM5HPCI

• Compare anything you’ve learned today to anything in the video, and be prepared to make a one-sentence statement