Development of student inquiry skills: A constructivist approach in a computerised classroom environment

Maor, D. (1991) Development of student inquiry skills: A constructivist approach in a computerised classroom environment. In: Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), 7 - 10 April 1991, Lake Geneva, WI.

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Abstract

A study investigated the extent to which students' inquiry skills can be facilitated through the use of a computerized science database (Birds of the Antarctica) and specially designed curriculum materials. Much attention was given in the program to developing both students' inquiry skills and their subject-matter knowledge. Grade 11 and 12 students' knowledge and skills development were interpreted as they interacted with the computerized database and the curriculum materials. The constraints to the development of inquiry skills and construction of understanding were identified. The theoretical framework of the study was based on a constructivist epistemology. An interpretive research methodology was employed to interpret students' and teachers' engagement in sense making and negotiating meaning. The results of a test of inquiry skills provided supportive data that helped to answer the main research question of how students develop inquiry skills.