Differentiated Inquiry Brooke Whitworth, Ana Rose Tuszka, Laura Barry, Matthew Verner, Andrew Chase

What is inquiry? The ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence derived from their work. 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. From the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996, p. 23)

What is an inquiry activity? There are two primary criteria to consider in determining if an activity supports inquiry learning: Are the students answering a research question? Are the students answering the research question through the analysis of data?

What makes a good research question? It can be answered through scientific research It can be “tested” by experimenting, observing, measuring, or by analyzing data from a scientific model It builds on what you already know and on what you can find out It can lead to more questions when answered

Are these research questions? How do hurricanes affect Florida's wildlife? How does light intensity change with distance? What does it take to be a good person? How does the moon change over the course of a month? Why is quicksand so dangerous? Y, observational Y, experimental N

Inquiry or Not? “Do all stars move in the same direction across the sky?” Following a brief discussion, the teacher demonstrates the rising and setting of the stars for several different locations on Earth using Stellarium. She then facilitates a class discussion about the stars’ apparent motion in the sky, based on their simulated observations.

Inquiry or Not? Leaf collection: Collect and press 30 different leaves Mount each leaf on a piece of paper Complete an identification label for each leaf Combine the pages into a notebook

Confirmatory Structured Guided Open Inquiry Levels of Inquiry Confirmatory Structured Guided Open Inquiry

How much information is given to the student? Level of Inquiry Question? Methods? Solution? 1  2 3 4 Confirmation—Students confirm a principle through an activity in which the results are known in advance.

How much information is given to the student? Level of Inquiry Question? Methods? Solution? 1  2 3 4 Structured inquiry—Students investigate a teacher-presented question through a prescribed procedure.

How much information is given to the student? Level of Inquiry Question? Methods? Solution? 1  2 3 4 Guided inquiry—Students investigate a teacher-presented question using student designed/selected procedures.

How much information is given to the student? Level of Inquiry Question? Methods? Solution? 1  2 3 4 Open inquiry—Students investigate topic-related questions that are student formulated through student designed/selected procedures.

How much information is given to the student? Level of Inquiry Question? Methods? Solution? 1 Confirmation  2 Structured Inquiry 3 Guided Inquiry 4 Open Inquiry

Level of Inquiry? You Decide! In this investigation you will confirm that the rate of a chemical reaction increases as the temperature of the reacting materials increases. You will use effervescent antacid tablets to verify this principle. Using the following procedure, record the results as indicated, and answer the questions at the end of the activity.

Level of Inquiry? You Decide! CONFIRMATORY!! In this investigation you will confirm that the rate of a chemical reaction increases as the temperature of the reacting materials increases. You will use effervescent antacid tablets to verify this principle. Using the following procedure, record the results as indicated, and answer the questions at the end of the activity.

Level of Inquiry? You Decide! Design an investigation to explore and research a chemistry topic related to the concepts we have been studying during the current unit on chemical reactions. Implement your procedure only when it has been approved by your teacher.

Level of Inquiry? You Decide! OPEN!! Design an investigation to explore and research a chemistry topic related to the concepts we have been studying during the current unit on chemical reactions. Implement your procedure only when it has been approved by your teacher.

Revising Inquiry Levels Question? Methods? Solution?

Revising Inquiry Levels Question Methods Solution? Inquiry Level=___

Revising Inquiry Levels Question Methods Solution? Inquiry Level= 2 (Structured Inquiry) How could we increase the level of inquiry for this activity?

Revising Inquiry Levels Question Methods? Solution? Level = 3 (Guided Inquiry)

Differentiated Inquiry Activity Pre-assessment Readiness of process skills Use levels of inquiry to create scaffolding Content objectives same for all students Similar process skills (focus changes)

What is differentiation? Instruction that allows students to work from where they are Individual, small group, whole group Based on readiness, interest or learning profile Process, product, content, learning environment Working within the “zone of proximal development” ONE STRATEGY: Tiering Talk with the person next to you about what you think differentiation (characteristics, examples)

What is tiered instruction? Instruction differentiated based upon readiness Readiness is assessed beforehand Best accomplished in 2-4 tiers Provides different levels of scaffolding so all students reach similar objectives

Confirmation Example Purpose: This experiment will help confirm the idea that salt water raises the boiling point of normal tap water. The lab will also acquaint you with using Vernier temperature probes and Logger Pro software. Question: What is the relationship between the boiling point of water and the amount of salt dissolved? Procedure(given) Materials(given) Data Table(given)  

Data Analysis Questions Graph the data you collected above(graph provided) Was your hypothesis supported or refuted by the results of the experiment? Explain. How did your own data compare to the class average? If your results differed, how might that have occurred? What conclusions can you draw based on the results of the lab? Why might it be important to look at the class data as a whole?

Confirmation Inquiry What’s included? Research Question with answer What is the relationship between the boiling point of water and the amount of salt dissolved? Procedure and Materials Data Table Analysis Questions

Structured Inquiry What’s included? Research Question without answer What is the relationship between the boiling point of water and the amount of salt dissolved? Students will form hypotheses for experiment Procedure and Materials Data Table Analysis Questions No answer and students form hypotheses

Guided Inquiry What’s included? Research Question without answer What is the relationship between the boiling point of water and the amount of compound dissolved? Students create: Hypotheses Step by Step Procedure with necessary materials Conclusions based on data collection Added another compound…students now create step by step procedure with materials and formulate conclusions based on the results of the lab.

Activity Please get in groups and complete the questions you are given.

Questions?

Thank you for attending!