Investigating the Impact of a Choice-Based Inquiry Curriculum Unit on Student Learning and Conceptual Understanding

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  In Poster Session: Curriculum and Instruction in the Science Classroom

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of inquiry instruction that utilizes choice as an instructional scaffold for engaging students in more reflective and self-directed inquiry and learning. The advantage of a choice-based instructional model is that it offers flexibility for unique inquiry paths that can support learners with differing levels of prior knowledge. 112 high school students participated in this study comparing a choice-based and no-choice version of Investigating Seasons, a curriculum unit that supports students in developing explanations for Earth’s seasonal temperature changes through a series of inquiry investigations. This work addresses the recent calls in education reform to promote reflective and adaptive student-driven inquiry that can meet the needs of diverse learners.

Author

• Jennifer King Chen, University of California - Berkeley