Abstract
<p>The authors reviewed their approaches to facilitating inquiry-based science courses from 2005 through 2010 in a fully online master's degree program at Walden University designed to help teachers bring inquiry-based science to their students. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate their interaction-engagement approach in facilitating online courses, which focused on a guided inquiry approach to build understanding of core science concepts using hands-on experimental science investigations.</p>
Highlights
Introduction and PurposeOnline learning has become a rapidly expanding industry (Becker & Posner, 2012; Rowe & Asbell-Clarke, 2007), which offers the convenience of professional development options to working adults, especially practicing teachers, without having to give up their full- time jobs or uproot their families and relocate to a traditional campus
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the authors’ interaction-engagement approach in facilitating online courses, which focused on a guided inquiry approach to build understanding of core science concepts using hands-on experimental science investigations
The course participants were practicing teachers who were enrolled in the K-8 Science Specialization of a Master of Science in Education degree program
Summary
Online learning has become a rapidly expanding industry (Becker & Posner, 2012; Rowe & Asbell-Clarke, 2007), which offers the convenience of professional development options to working adults, especially practicing teachers, without having to give up their full- time jobs or uproot their families and relocate to a traditional campus. The proliferation of offerings and options in online education programs exacerbates the need for research into the nature and effectiveness of teaching and learning in such environments. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the authors’ interaction-engagement approach in facilitating online courses, which focused on a guided inquiry approach to build understanding of core science concepts using hands-on experimental science investigations. The course participants were practicing teachers who were enrolled in the K-8 Science Specialization of a Master of Science in Education degree program. By 'hands-on' and 'minds-on' learning, it should be understood that: Open Access
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