Deepening Inquiry About Human Body Systems Through Computer-Supported Metadiscourse

• In Event: Science and Technology

Abstract

This mixed methods study was conducted in a grades 5/6 classroom with 22 students who conducted collaborative knowledge building about human body systems using Knowledge Forum over a two-month period. Around the midpoint of this inquiry, students engaged in metacognitive conversations to review collective progress in knowledge-building discourse using Idea Thread Mapper (ITM). Video analysis elaborated the processes of metacognitive conversations supported by teacher scaffolding. Through such metacognitive conversations and reflection, students identified advances and formulated deeper goals and questions for their further inquiry, leading to more advanced understanding of the human body as a complex system that was captured through content analysis.

Authors

• Jianwei Zhang, University at Albany - SUNY

• Jiyeon Lee, University at Albany - SUNY

• Jingping Chen, University at Albany - SUNY