Generating and Testing Hypotheses Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works Staff Development Spring 2011

Please read Chapter 11 on pages 202 to 216 prior to working through this PowerPoint

Generating and Testing Hypothesis Engages students in complex mental process Applies content knowledge like facts and vocabulary Enhances students overall understanding of content More than a strategy for science instruction – it can be used in all content areas

Marzano’s Research Generating and Testing Hypotheses enhances students’ understanding of and ability to use knowledge by engaging them in mental processes that involve making and testing hypotheses. As an instructional strategy, Marzano’s research concludes that students can achieve a 23 point percentile growth with regular use

Recommendations Use a variety of structures tasks to guide students through generating and testing hypotheses Make sure students can explain their hypothesis and conclusions

Six tasks teachers can use to help students generate and test hypothesis System Analysis – study parts of a system and make predictions about what would change if one or more parts were altered

2. Problem Solve – Students look at various solutions given the obstacles and restraints posed by the problem

3. Historical Investigation – students construct hypothesis related to a historical event for which there is no agreed upon resolution

4. Invention – students examine a need, then work to create a solution to the need

5. Experimental Inquiry – students observe a phenomenon, make an informed hypothesis about why or how the event happened and set up an experiment to test their prediction

6. Decision Making – students define criteria and apply weight to the various criteria to decide which choice makes the most sense

Technology is used in the generating and testing of hypotheses at a data collection tool, a tool for organizing the data, and for simulations to test a hypothesis. All of these are time saving components of generating and testing hypotheses BUT the next step in this process is that students need to use critical thinking skills to do the “generating of the hypothesis” and “drawing conclusions” – The technology can’t do this for them.

In the next slides are various links to examples of generating and testing hypotheses to draw conclusions Please go through these examples and find one or two that are appropriate to your grade and subject

Putting the Pieces Together Manila Tech Trekkers Project based Learning OC-Franklin Research Project Technology That Works Learning Technologies EdWeb Templates

Task Because there is not much time left in the school year, your task is to think through the use of generating and testing hypotheses as an instructional tool. Then add it to two or three places in your curriculum map that fit. Then send me an email that includes the standard, classroom activity and how you plan to use it.