Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program

Two hundred and fifteen pre-service teachers engaged in a scientific inquiry unit in the newly created Bachelorof Primary and Early Childhood Education course at an Australian university This paper discusses how theTechnological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) model provided the conceptua...

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Main Authors: Sheffield, Rachel, McIlvenny, L.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Institute for Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/CAL/article/viewFile/7560/8440
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18246
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author Sheffield, Rachel
McIlvenny, L.
author_facet Sheffield, Rachel
McIlvenny, L.
author_sort Sheffield, Rachel
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Two hundred and fifteen pre-service teachers engaged in a scientific inquiry unit in the newly created Bachelorof Primary and Early Childhood Education course at an Australian university This paper discusses how theTechnological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) model provided the conceptual framework todesign an online inquiry unit. The unit enabled students to research an authentic problem focusing onenvironmental sustainability using an inquiry framework and an array of information and communicationtechnology (ICT) tools. The survey data collected at the conclusion of the unit indicated that 90 % of studentsthought the unit improved their understanding of the inquiry process and 88% reported more confidence in theirunderstanding of science concepts. Ninety four percent of students reported an increase in their knowledge andconfidence of Web 2.0 tools in supporting scientific inquiry in science. The research determined that the onlinescaffolded inquiry improved students’ knowledge and confidence in the skills and processes associated withinquiry and in science concepts. It will, however, not replace more traditional hands-on investigative approachesbut provides a complementary valuable tool to teach interesting and engaging science.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-182462017-01-30T12:06:49Z Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program Sheffield, Rachel McIlvenny, L. pedagogy online learning sustainability pre-service teacher Inquiry Two hundred and fifteen pre-service teachers engaged in a scientific inquiry unit in the newly created Bachelorof Primary and Early Childhood Education course at an Australian university This paper discusses how theTechnological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) model provided the conceptual framework todesign an online inquiry unit. The unit enabled students to research an authentic problem focusing onenvironmental sustainability using an inquiry framework and an array of information and communicationtechnology (ICT) tools. The survey data collected at the conclusion of the unit indicated that 90 % of studentsthought the unit improved their understanding of the inquiry process and 88% reported more confidence in theirunderstanding of science concepts. Ninety four percent of students reported an increase in their knowledge andconfidence of Web 2.0 tools in supporting scientific inquiry in science. The research determined that the onlinescaffolded inquiry improved students’ knowledge and confidence in the skills and processes associated withinquiry and in science concepts. It will, however, not replace more traditional hands-on investigative approachesbut provides a complementary valuable tool to teach interesting and engaging science. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18246 http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/CAL/article/viewFile/7560/8440 Institute for Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education fulltext
spellingShingle pedagogy
online learning
sustainability
pre-service teacher
Inquiry
Sheffield, Rachel
McIlvenny, L.
Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program
title Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program
title_full Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program
title_fullStr Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program
title_full_unstemmed Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program
title_short Design and Implementation of Scientific Inquiry using Technology in a Teacher Education Program
title_sort design and implementation of scientific inquiry using technology in a teacher education program
topic pedagogy
online learning
sustainability
pre-service teacher
Inquiry
url http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/CAL/article/viewFile/7560/8440
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18246