I struggled coming up with a lab for Inquiry Based Instruction. I felt it was hard not to give away too much information as I was planning. I ended up selecting a lab that was not as complex in what the students were to do. My lab serves as more of interest gaining lesson for the start of the subject of soils.
I think my lab went well. I ended up giving the students parts of the question but I left it very open as to what they were to do. There was many ways they could have approached it, all of which would have been fine. I just ultimately wanted them to look at the soil and recognize differences in the soil samples.
I told the students to start working and after 5 minutes I would take questions. I thought this was fair and successful. Questions that were asked I was able to answer back in a question to keep the students thinking.
Because this lab was engaging I didn't really have behavior issues but I also have found that labs in general are more successful when the instructor selects the groups.
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments, inquiry has to have purpose and its awesome that you were able to give the students free rein and they still accomplished your goal. I also like how you mentioned creating groups during labs help control the functionality of those groups!
I struggled with coming up with a lab idea too, Kate. Simplifying the lesson is sometimes better, and it allows less complexity that can get students sidetracked. I like your idea of using soils for better engagement because it is much easier to keep students attention with a great lesson.
ReplyDeleteKate
ReplyDeleteI originally was going to use a microscope, but had trouble thinking of an idea. I ended up using a scale and having them calculate the densities of different liquids as an intro to soil density.
I am curious as to what visual differences between the soils your students found. I think you definitely achieved the inquiry based method by not specifying what you actually wanted them to do. You let them simple observe and record what they thought was important. Good idea.
That is a neat intro to the lesson! I think having no major outcomes expected for the lab (just observing the differences) helped you make the lab successful. When we have specific outcomes that we want for the students, it is easier for it to be "not successful." Good job!
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool ideal to dive into your soils unit. I struggle with taking the time to break them up into groups verses just telling them to get into groups cause its easier on me but I should do the splitting into groups. That's good it went well and how you asked them questions after five minutes.
ReplyDeleteKate it does sound more off of what an inquiry based lesson is due to the students not really being able to come up with it themselves. But overall good job.
ReplyDelete