TitleTitle

Comparison of a Text-Based Comparison of a Text-Based Lesson to a Hands-On Lesson Lesson to a Hands-On Lesson

to Determine Which Type of to Determine Which Type of Instructional Strategy is More Instructional Strategy is More

Effective at Successfully Effective at Successfully Teaching a Specific NYS Teaching a Specific NYS

Standard to 7th Graders in an Standard to 7th Graders in an Urban Environment.Urban Environment.

Reasoning for StudyReasoning for Study

Wanted to compare instructional Wanted to compare instructional methods. methods.

Inquiry Based vs. Text Based in Inquiry Based vs. Text Based in particular.particular.

Which better prepares our students for Which better prepares our students for success in high-stakes testing.success in high-stakes testing.

What is Inquiry Based What is Inquiry Based Science?Science?

The National Science Education Standards The National Science Education Standards (NSES(NSES p. 23)p. 23) defines scientific inquiry as "the defines scientific inquiry as "the diverse ways in which scientists study the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. on the evidence derived from their work. Scientific inquiry also refers to the activities Scientific inquiry also refers to the activities through which students develop knowledge through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world." the natural world."

5 Main Points of Inquiry5 Main Points of Inquiry

1.1. Learner engages in scientifically oriented Learner engages in scientifically oriented questions.questions.

2.2. Learner gives priority to evidence in Learner gives priority to evidence in responding to questions.responding to questions.

3.3. Learner formulates explanations from Learner formulates explanations from evidence.evidence.

4.4. Learner connects explanations to scientific Learner connects explanations to scientific knowledge.knowledge.

5.5. Learner communicates and justifies Learner communicates and justifies explanations.explanations.

What is Text Based What is Text Based Science?Science?

Chalk and TalkChalk and Talk Rote MemorizationRote Memorization Anything that probably resembles Anything that probably resembles

Evolutionary Bio here at QC.Evolutionary Bio here at QC. How you probably were taught as a How you probably were taught as a

student.student.

Who endorses Inquiry?Who endorses Inquiry?

National Research CouncilNational Research Council- developed NSES- developed NSES

American Association of the Advancement of American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Science (AAAS).

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Many local organizations as well (LIGASE, Many local organizations as well (LIGASE,

etc.).etc.). NY State Standards are based on NRC NY State Standards are based on NRC

recommendations.recommendations.

How was the research How was the research carried out.carried out.

223 Students223 Students 3 Teachers3 Teachers 9 Classes9 Classes Students were given a pretest and a posttest.Students were given a pretest and a posttest. Specific NY State MST Standard studied (New York Specific NY State MST Standard studied (New York

State State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Key Idea 3, Major Understandings and Technology; Key Idea 3, Major Understandings 3.1a, c, d, e, f, g, and 3.2a)3.1a, c, d, e, f, g, and 3.2a)..

Lessons given over 2 weeks, approximately 10-12 Lessons given over 2 weeks, approximately 10-12 periods.periods.

Completion Survey to gauge Science interest.Completion Survey to gauge Science interest.

Students divided into 3 Students divided into 3 groupsgroups

Text-only groupText-only group Hands-on Only groupHands-on Only group Both Text and Hands-on groupBoth Text and Hands-on group Each Teacher randomly choose a class Each Teacher randomly choose a class

for each group.for each group.

Method of Study: Method of Study: Hands-on LessonHands-on Lesson

Utilized curriculum from the Utilized curriculum from the It’s About Time It’s About Time company using their “Project-Based Inquiry company using their “Project-Based Inquiry Science” (PBIS) lesson plans.Science” (PBIS) lesson plans.

Unit entitled “Air Quality in Your Community: Unit entitled “Air Quality in Your Community: Section 2” Section 2”

Students worked cooperatively to answer “Big Students worked cooperatively to answer “Big Question” using hands-on activities, teacher Question” using hands-on activities, teacher demonstrations, and research. demonstrations, and research.

Some content provided in the form of Some content provided in the form of vocabulary words.vocabulary words.

Method of Study:Method of Study:Text-only LessonText-only Lesson

Utilized Glencoe book, “New York State 7Utilized Glencoe book, “New York State 7 thth Grade Science”.Grade Science”.

Chapter 9, entitled “Matter and its Changes”Chapter 9, entitled “Matter and its Changes” Students would read selected text from chapter Students would read selected text from chapter

and answer questions provided at the end of and answer questions provided at the end of each section.each section.

Although there were optional activities Although there were optional activities associated with the lesson, they were associated with the lesson, they were purposely not used.purposely not used.

Breakdown of Research Breakdown of Research Subjects: GenderSubjects: Gender

Females

Males

Females: 114

Males: 109

DemographicDemographic

1= African American: 2%

2= Asian: 9%

3= Caucasian: 17%

4= Middle Eastern: 1%

5= Native American: 0%

6= Hispanic: 66%

7= Other: 5%

Results of the Pre & Post Results of the Pre & Post TestTest

Pretest Average Pretest Average Score (Out of 10)Score (Out of 10)

-Text-only: 5.72-Text-only: 5.72

-Hands-on Only: 4.44-Hands-on Only: 4.44

-Both Lessons: 5.09-Both Lessons: 5.09

Posttest Average Score Posttest Average Score (Out of 10)(Out of 10)

- Text-only: 6.40 - Text-only: 6.40 (+ 0.78)(+ 0.78)-Hands-on Only: 4.18 -Hands-on Only: 4.18

(- 0.26)(- 0.26)-Both Lessons: 5.55-Both Lessons: 5.55

(+ 0.46)(+ 0.46)

Survey DetailsSurvey Details

The following are the results of the The following are the results of the Completion Survey.Completion Survey.

10 Questions10 Questions

I prefer to do hands-on I prefer to do hands-on activities in Science activities in Science

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I prefer to use a textbook for I prefer to use a textbook for Science.Science.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

I prefer to work in a Science I prefer to work in a Science group.group.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I prefer to use both hands-on I prefer to use both hands-on activities and a textbook to learn activities and a textbook to learn

Science.Science.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Science is my favorite Science is my favorite subject.subject.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Knowing Math and ELA is Knowing Math and ELA is necessary to do Science.necessary to do Science.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Science is the most difficult Science is the most difficult subject.subject.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Disagree

Agree

When I do a Science activity, I When I do a Science activity, I am afraid of doing it wrong.am afraid of doing it wrong.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Disagree

Agree

Videos are a great way for me Videos are a great way for me to learn Science topics.to learn Science topics.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Outside of school, I watch Science Outside of school, I watch Science related TV shows or read Science related TV shows or read Science

Fiction books.Fiction books.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

Disagree

Agree

ConclusionsConclusions Students who did text-only lessons showed Students who did text-only lessons showed

greater improvement in pre and post test greater improvement in pre and post test scores.scores.

Students who did hands-on lessons showed Students who did hands-on lessons showed the no improvement, in fact they went down in the no improvement, in fact they went down in average test score.average test score.

Students who did both showed improvement, Students who did both showed improvement, but not as great as text-only.but not as great as text-only.

Possibility that hands-on activities may be Possibility that hands-on activities may be more confusing. Maybe moving too fast to pick more confusing. Maybe moving too fast to pick up content by students.up content by students.

ConclusionsConclusions

Although students may prefer hands-on Although students may prefer hands-on lessons, it may not be the most effective lessons, it may not be the most effective at preparing them for high stakes test.at preparing them for high stakes test.

There is a high level of interest in There is a high level of interest in Science, this is encouraging and must be Science, this is encouraging and must be fostered.fostered.

Room for further study, needs to be Room for further study, needs to be looked at more closely.looked at more closely.

ConcernsConcerns Effectiveness of any lesson dependent Effectiveness of any lesson dependent

on teacher methodology. on teacher methodology. Besides myself, how well did teachers Besides myself, how well did teachers

stick to study lesson plans.stick to study lesson plans. Extremely varied group of academic Extremely varied group of academic

levels, may need to be more focused.levels, may need to be more focused. Students may have been confused since Students may have been confused since

at times lessons were broken up to give at times lessons were broken up to give time to Exit Projects.time to Exit Projects.

Questions???Questions???