Inquiry-based Teaching Practices Research Articles

Classroom Teachers' Perceptions of Science and Inquiry-Based Teaching

Inquiry-based teaching is an approach that carries the same steps as the process of producing scientific knowledge, where the student is at the center of learning, and where teachers must develop the inquiry skills of both themselves and their students. It can be said that in the first years of childhood, the person students spend the most time with, after their families, is their classroom teacher. The basic knowledge taught in primary school forms the basis of the following levels. An innovative strategy method is essential in the development and implementation of educational activities with a research-based teaching approach. However, teachers need time, resources, training and support to effectively implement inquiry-based teaching in their classrooms and develop inquiry skills. TÜBİTAK 4004 "MAT-SOR Inquiry-Based Activity Development Camp" project was carried out to support classroom teachers within the scope of the Science and Community Support Programs Mathematics Year Special Call. The project aims to increase the competencies of classroom teachers in developing activity plans and to ensure that they acquire the skills required by the 21st century. Within the scope of this project, "mystery boxes" training was organized to help classroom teachers recognize and improve their skills in understanding science and inquiry-based teaching practices. For this purpose, teachers' opinions were taken with open-ended questions before and after the training. The data of the research was obtained from 25 teachers who participated in the project. The data obtained was analyzed using the content analysis method, which is one of the qualitative analysis methods. Three researchers conducted analyzes independently, and then themes and categories were determined. As a result of the study, it was determined that teachers' ideas about science improved, and their ideas about the steps of inquiry-based teaching in general emerged. It can be stated that providing new methods and approaches and applied training contributes to developing educational activities for individuals.

Reproduction to transformation: disrupting teacher habitus through pedagogic work

Addressing in-service teacher professional development is a significant issue for educational stakeholders as reform movements mobilize to replace teacher-led instruction with student-centred pedagogies. Teachers need access to high-quality professional development to mitigate implementation problems associated with reform practices. Drawing on critical ethnography, I followed the year-long professional journey of six in-service science teachers in Quebec, Canada. Video-recorded professional development meetings and semi-structured interviews captured how teachers worked to enact sophisticated inquiry-based teaching practices. I have used a Bourdieusian lens to examine teachers’ shifting habitus as they professionally develop in collaborative professional development. Findings suggested that the field of educational reform is transformative when teachers engage with a professional learning model emphasizing critical reflection and collaborative discourse. Using Bourdieu’s concept of habitus and field, findings illustrate the benefits of pedagogic work on teachers’ repertoires of practice to understand the generative potential of professional development to transform teachers’ instructional practices.

Inquiry-Based Teaching Practices, Attitudes, and Difficulties of Secondary Science Teachers in Masinloc District Division of Zambales for S.Y. 2020-2021

This study aimed to assess the science inquiry-based practices, attitudes, and difficulties of secondary science teachers in the district of Masinloc, division of Zambales.
 The data gathered through the questionnaire were statistically treated with percentage, weighted mean, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
 There is significant difference on the number of trainings towards origin of questioning, nature of problem, responsibility within the inquiry process, students’ diversity and variability and explanation of learning goals. There is significant difference on highest educational attainment towards explanation of learning goals and significant on sex towards origin of questioning. There is significant difference on the perception towards attitude on the use of inquiry-based teaching and learning when grouped according to highest educational attainment. There is significant difference on the number of trainings towards all dimensions of practices of science teachers exhibited components of scientific inquiry-based learning approach;
 The researcher recommended that the use of inquiry-based teaching and learning approach in teaching Science is highly encouraged in order to help the learners to overcome their problems in engaging with the lesson; that the teacher is encouraged to use the inquiry-based teaching and learning practices model to help them in attaining the consistency of the inquiry process within their lesson; and lastly a replication of this study is encouraged with in-depth and wider in scope so as to better determine the effectiveness of Inquiry-Based Teaching/Learning approach.

STEM integrated education and multimodal educational material

The present article aims to underline the role of multimodal educational material in STEM Integrated early childhood education. Through social semiotics assumption that meaning arises in action and interaction, we argue that robotics, digital media, haptic materials, toys, books, tablets, actions, and artifacts have an active and dynamic role in multimodal learning and construct meaning in young children's STEM educational process. The literature review has revealed a research gap concerning combined multimodal aspects in STEM concepts for young children. We adopted a mixed-method collective case study design based on four case studies in which children interact with multimodal STEM educational material. Due to the principles for effective STEM teaching and the perspectives of integrated STEM education, our findings illustrate that MmEM in STEM concepts, through play-based, model-based, inquiry-based teaching practices (among other open-ended), may provide to children multimodal learning environments, engage them in authentic and meaningful learning, promote teamwork, communication and social skills, challenge and motivate them to make meaning of their learning.

Enhancing Pre-service Teachers’ Reflective Quality on Inquiry-based Teaching Through a Community of Practice

Implementing inquiry-based teaching in secondary school is often a challenge for pre-service teachers. Thoughtful reflection on their teaching experience may help future teachers address this challenge. This article examined the quality of reflection on inquiry teaching by two pre-service science teachers as they participated in a mini-Community of Practice (mCoP) with their cooperating teachers and university advisor. Findings from this study revealed the benefits of this mCoP for nurturing pre-service teachers’ inquiry teaching by building a network of encouraging support from experienced teachers and by providing a supportive reflective environment. The study also showed pre-service teachers transformed their reflections from technical to reflective thinking as they matured in inquiry-based teaching practice.

The Process of Inquiry-Based Teaching Practices from the Perspective of Prospective Mathematics Teachers

Abstract Introduction: Inquiry-based teaching is a constructivist-based method that has become popular in recent years. In this method, students work in a systematic way like a scientist during the research process, actively participate in the learning process, solve problems and learn in practice. The aim of this study is to reveal the opinions of prospective teachers about inquiry based teaching practices. Methods: The study was designed in a qualitative research design. The participants of the study are primary mathematics teacher candidates. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face with the students. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings obtained from the analysis of the prospective teachers’ views were presented with the relevant themes and codes under the titles. Results: Some of the findings of the prospective teachers’ opinions about the process in which inquiry-based teaching method is applied are as follows. It provides permanent learning, is suitable for real life, develops skills such as research, problem solving, leadership, motivates and gives experience to the profession, is learned actively by doing and experiencing in the process, unexpected difficulties are encountered, the traditional method is easier, not suitable for every course, the lecturer should give more feedback and guidance, communication and coordination in group work is required. Discussion: Prospective teachers stated many positive opinions about the process in which the course content was taught using inquiry-based method. It can be said that the application process positively influences the practical knowledge and skills of teacher candidates. However, it is seen that some prospective teachers find the process tiring and time consuming. It is understood that teacher candidates have intense concerns about Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS) and this affects the process. KPSS is a test in Turkey for prospective teachers where they should get enough points to be appointed as teachers after graduation. Although the participants of this study are 3rd grade prospective teachers and they take the KPSS exam after graduation; it is understood that KPSS affects them and their motivation. Limitations: This research is limited to the measurement and evaluation course and to the 3rd grade mathematics teacher candidates who are the participants of this study. Conclusions: Prospective teachers mostly have positive opinions about the inquiry-based teaching process. It can be said that it would be beneficial to use this method in teacher education.

Student-oriented teaching practices and educational equality: a population-based study

Introduction. Evidence has remained scarce whether teaching practices might be linked to students’ educational equality. This study investigated (i) whether student-oriented teaching practices are associated with students’ learning outcomes in mathematics, and (ii) whether student-oriented teaching might increase equality in learning outcomes between students with different backgrounds. Method. We used the Finnish PISA 2012 data (N=5052-5660) that provides a nationally representative sample of the Finnish 15-year-old students. The data were analyzed using structural equation models. Results. Frequent student-oriented teaching practices were associated with students’ weaker learning outcomes in mathematics. The effect of frequent student-oriented teaching practices was especially negative among students with risky backgrounds (i.e. risky family structure, low family wealth, low maternal education, immigrant status, student’s previous truancy behavior at school). Our additional analyses showed that also frequent inquiry-based teaching practices were related to weaker learning outcomes in science. Discussion and Conclusion. In conclusion, student-oriented teaching practices appear to be linked with students’ weaker learning outcomes in comprehensive school. Student-oriented teaching may expand the gaps in learning outcomes between students coming from different backgrounds.

Action Research as an Inquiry-Based Teaching Practice Model for Teacher Education Programs

Although the role of action research is critically highlighted in research, it is not widely used by teachers in most schools. It may also be that our teacher education does not equip us with the necessary confidence to conduct much inquiry ourselves. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of early childhood preservice teachers. Participants were engaged in action research within their field experience and research project courses. Data sources for the study included observation notes gathered during weekly meetings with preservice teachers, observation notes from classroom discussions, and semi-structured interviews conducted afterwards. The study supports the call for enhancing the quality of early years education through inquiry-based approaches such as incorporating research tasks with practicum activities during teacher training.

Enhancing Student Learning and Engagement in Freshman Course on Problem Solving Using Computers

The paper presents a detailed impact analysis of incorporating appropriate active learning strategies for enhancing student learning and engagement in the first year introductory course on Problem Solving using Computers. The major challenge in Education system is that, most of the graduates learn by rote all the way from school to college. Most of the students do not have prior experience in programming and exhibit an aversion towards programming. Active learning techniques have been proved as a viable solution to eradicate rote learning. In order to promote higher order cognitive skills and student engagement, a systematic plan incorporating appropriate active learning techniques has been designed. The experimental study has been carried out in a first year student group comprising of 119 members from the Department of Information Technology at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. Along with traditional assessment strategies, exclusive rubrics have been designed to measure the learning outcomes.This blend of instructor led and inquiry based teaching practices in the introductory course on Problem Solving using Computers has shown positive impact on student learning and engagement. Compared with the previous academic years, Students' performance in continuous assessment and End Semester Examinations has improved significantly. Positive feedback from students and increased count of participation in programming contests and online certifications demonstrate the improved effectiveness of the adopted teaching learning strategies in promoting self learning.

Analyzing Changes in Four Teachers’ Knowledge and Practice of Inquiry-Based Mathematics Teaching

Teachers’ inquiry-based mathematics teaching (IBMT) competence is often acquired and developed through participation in professional development programs (PDPs), but researchers have not established an effective method of assessing teachers’ performance in this area. Moreover, the definition of IBMT, and the relationship between teachers’ mathematics inquiry knowledge and practice, both remain unclear. Therefore, this study first proposes a sophisticated definition of mathematics inquiry-based teaching, and goes on to use this definition as the basis of a systematic, integrated method for assessing teachers’ knowledge and practice of such teaching. Changes in four case teachers’ knowledge and practice of IBMT during their participation in a 1-year PDP in Taiwan are reported and analyzed. The data sources included classroom observations as well as interviews and teachers’ concept maps. Data were analyzed using an analytic framework of concept-map structure; essential constructs of knowledge regarding mathematics inquiry; and an analytic framework of inquiry-based teaching practice. The research revealed (1) that all four case teachers made positive progress in both their knowledge of mathematics inquiry and their related teaching practices; (2) that the two sets of gains described in point (1) above did not appear to have any causal relationship; and (3) that although all four teachers’ knowledge and practices were found to have changed, radical changes in their teaching practices were still rare in the short term.

‘Almost everything we do includes inquiry’: fostering inquiry-based teaching and learning with preschool teachers

ABSTRACTGiven the increased emphasis on science in early learning standards, two studies were conducted to investigate preschool teachers’ efficacy for teaching science and their inquiry-based teaching practices. Fifty-one teachers completed a survey of their efficacy for teaching science and understanding of inquiry methods. Teachers reported moderate confidence in their abilities, but only 25% of respondents indicated knowledge of most steps of the inquiry process. In a follow-up study, a small group of teachers participated in training sessions followed by in-depth interviews. Most teachers reported implementing the beginning steps of inquiry, such as observing and questioning, within an activity, but rarely reported next steps, such as making predictions and evaluating evidence. Participants identified lack of materials, scheduling, and time constraints as challenges to inquiry-based teaching. Findings highlight the need for professional development, emphasising the integrated, sequential, cyclic nature of the inquiry process to support preschoolers’ complex thinking and reasoning.

Relationship between Science Teaching Practices and Students’ Achievement in Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and the US: An Analysis Using TIMSS 2011 Data

The assumption that inquiry-based instruction is more effective in influencing student science achievement than traditional didactic teaching has been the driving force of science education reform in recent decades and in many countries. However, the empirical relationship between these two kinds of science teaching and student science performance is not soundly established, which is worth a careful examination. Framed through the theoretical perspectives of inquiry-based instruction and culturally relevant pedagogy, using a two-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) approach and simultaneous multiple regression, this study examines the above relationship using the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 8th grade dataset from Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and the US. The study found that for the low-performing students, none of the inquiry-based teaching practice items measured had a significant relationship with the science achievements at any performance levels of students in any country/region except for the case of two inquiry-based teaching practice items that were positively related to Chinese Taipei students’ achievements. No didactic teaching practice items were associated with the Singapore students’ science achievement, three of these practice items were found negatively related to Chinese Taipei students’ science achievement, and one traditional didactic teaching practice was negatively related to the science achievement of U.S. students. However, for medium- and high-performing students, none of these inquiry-based or traditional didactic science-teaching practices were found to be positive predictors of science performance in all three countries/regions. However, in the case of Chinese Taipei, one didactic teaching practice item was negatively related with the medium level performing students’ achievement and two didactic teaching practices were found to hinder high-performing students’ science achievements.

Authentic science apprenticeship for in-service science teachers: participant experiences, reflections, cognitive and affective outcomes, and connections to practice

The success of science education reform initiatives depends considerably on the teachers. Effective professional development opportunities have been shown to encourage and support teachers in their adoption of inquiry-based teaching practices. In particular, it has been argued that an effective means for science teachers to learn about science inquiry is through contextual learning experiences, which allow teachers to be immersed in the culture of science. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore professional development participants’ individual and collective experiences, thoughts, reflections and evolving beliefs, attitudes and knowledge within the context of a two-week summer research apprenticeship program for secondary science teachers. Four profiles of teachers emerged based on their type and level of involvement in the science laboratory in which they were placed. The findings allude to changes in participants’ attitudes and sense of self-confidence toward science as well as their knowledge about science inquiry as a process and as an approach to teaching. We will also discuss how participants planned to implement their learning experiences in their classrooms.

Exploring Elementary Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences and Learning Outcomes in a Revised Inquiry-Based Science Lesson: An Action Research

In order for teachers to implement inquiry-based teaching practices, they must have experienced inquiry-basedlearning especially during science content and methods courses. Although the impacts of inquiry-basedinstruction on various cognitive and affective domains have been studied and documented little attention hasbeen paid to how PSTs experience inquiry in these classrooms. The aim of this action research project was toexplore our instructional strategies and elementary PSTs’ learning experiences as we developed and implementedan inquiry-based lesson in a science content course for elementary education students. Video observation data,instructor reflections, and student reflections were analyzed to shed light on students’ conceptual understandingof the physical science concept, their learning experiences including team interactions, motivation and interest,and concerns and frustrations, as well as the role of the instructor in the revised lesson.

A cross national examination of inquiry and its relationship to student performance in science: Evidence from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006

We investigated the relationship between four inquiry-based teaching practices (use of: (1) models or applications, (2) hands-on activities, (3) interaction and (4) independent investigations) and science achievement for 15-year olds across eight countries participating in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006. Within each country, we find consistent evidence that students reporting more frequent use of independent investigations have lowered achievement in science; however, students reporting higher frequency with which science lessons emphasize models or applications tend to have higher achievement. Evidence regarding the effectiveness of hands-on activities and interaction was mixed. Our findings highlight the importance of lessons that have applications to the real world and that have investigations which are directed and scaffolded versus purely discovery-based.

Promoting Inquiry-based Teaching Practices through an Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory

Promoting Inquiry-based Teaching Practices through an Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory

Elementary preservice teachers learning to teach science in science museums and nature centers: A novel program’s impact on science knowledge, science pedagogy, and confidence teaching

This ethnographic research examined two out-of-school science practica where preservice elementary teachers learned to teach science. We wondered what teachers learned about science and teaching science, how their sense of themselves as science teachers changed, and how such settings might contribute to reform in science education to promote greater scientific literacy. Preservice teachers had positive experiences; found the practica non-threatening; learned hands-on, inquiry-based teaching practices and some science; and developed confidence in their ability to teach. Practicing teachers from earlier practica carried what they learned into their classrooms. We explore implications for incorporating such sites in elementary teacher education programs and suggest further research.

The effects of professional development on science teaching practices and classroom culture

The current science education reform movement emphasizes the importance of professional development as a means of improving student science achievement. Reformers have developed a vision for professional development based upon intensive and sustained training around concrete tasks that is focused on subject-matter knowledge, connected to specific standards for student performance, and embedded in a systemic context. Using data from a National Science Foundation Teacher Enhancement program called the Local Systemic Change initiative, this study employs hierarchical linear modeling to examine the relationship between professional development and the reformers' vision of teaching practice. The findings indicate that the quantity of professional development in which teachers participate is strongly linked with both inquiry-based teaching practice and investigative classroom culture. At the individual level, teachers' content preparation also has a powerful influence on teaching practice and classroom culture. At the school level, school socioeconomic status was found to influence practice more substantially than either principal supportiveness or available resources.fl 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 37: 963 - 980, 2000