Re: Metastudy on impact of inquiry in k-12

Some blog followers may be interested a post [Hake (2010)] of the above title. The abstract reads:

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ABSTRACT: Joe Bellina (2010), in a post "Metastudy on impact of in k-12" alerted subscribers to Inquiry-Based Science Instruction - What Is It and Does It Matter? Results from a Research Synthesis Years 1984 to 2002 [Minner, Levy, & Century (2009)]. Their abstract reads in part (slightly edited):

"The goal of the Inquiry Synthesis Project was to synthesize findings from research conducted between 1984 and 2002 to address the research question, "What Is The Impact Of Inquiry Science Instruction On K-12 Student Outcomes?". . . . . Various findings across 138 analyzed studies INDICATE A CLEAR, POSITIVE TREND FAVORING INQUIRY-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES [my CAPS], particularly instruction that emphasizes student active thinking and drawing conclusions from data. Teaching strategies that actively engage students in the learning process through scientific investigations are more likely to increase conceptual understanding than are strategies that rely on more passive techniques, which are often necessary in the current standardized-assessment laden educational environment."

Leaving aside my own niggling criticism of their monumental mixed-methods-research effort, Minner et al., even despite the "antipositivist vigilantes," rightfully add another voice to the chorus bemoaning the lack of operational definitions for various pedagogical approaches. Among other choristers are: Century (2004), Klahr & Li (2005), Anderson (2007), Hake (2008), Strand-Cary & Klahr (2008), and Klahr (2009).

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To access the complete 33 kB post please click on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Net-Gold/message/31779 .

REFERENCES

Hake, R.R. 2010. “Re: Metastudy on impact of inquiry in k-12” online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Net-Gold/message/31779. Post of 3 Feb 2010 8:40 am EST to AERA-L, Net-Gold, and PhysLrnR. The abstract only was transmitted to various discussion lists.

Science and Mathematics Learning in Early Childhood

Some blog followers may be interested a post [Hake (2010)] of the above title. The abstract reads:

ABSTRACT: A recent Education Week article "Experts Urge Earlier Start to Teaching Science" [Viadero (2010)] may be of interest. Viadero's three main points were (paraphrasing):

1. "Duschl et al. (2007) in Taking Science to School: Learning and Teaching Science in Grades K-8, advised introducing scientific study even before the start of formal schooling, with children as young as 4. The commonly held view that young children are concrete and simplistic thinkers, the report said, 'is outmoded.' Refuted, some experts added, by decades of research in cognitive science and developmental psychology."

2. "Gelman et al. (2009) in Preschool Pathways to Science: Facilitating Scientific Ways of Thinking, Talking, Doing, and Understanding reinforce the advice of Duschl et al. to introduce science to pre-school children and present what they call 'research-based ways to teach young children about scientific concepts.' "

3. "Researchers at the Education Development Center (EDC) in Newton, Mass. have crafted a Young Scientist curriculum series with support from the National Science Foundation and field-tested it with 50 Massachusetts teachers working in Head Start, finding 'dramatic' learning gains for teachers, coupled with 'promising' improvements for their young students.' Now, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences, EDC is engaged in a larger study testing the curriculum's efficacy in . . . . dozens of other New York Head Start classrooms in Westchester County and on Long Island."

Since science and mathematics education pose similar challenges to early childhood education, the recent book Mathematics Learning in Early Childhood: Paths Toward Excellence and Equity [Cross et al. (2009)] may also be of interest.

To access the complete 16 KB post please click on http://tinyurl.com/yzag7ld .

REFERENCES [Tiny URL's courtesy http://tinyurl.com/create.php.]

Hake, R.R. 2010. "Science and Mathematics Learning in Early Childhood," online on the OPEN AERA-L archives at http://tinyurl.com/yzag7ld. Post of 15 Jan 2010 14:45:10-0800 to AERA-L, Net-Gold, and PhysLrnR. The abstract only was transmitted to various discussion lists.