Investigative learning

Elaine Smallbones

Pietermaritzburg

Girls’ High School

Computer basedInvestigative

learning

…using the computer as a teaching tool

In this workshop we will…1.look at an example of investigative

learning

2.remind ourselves of some basics we need to know

3.work through an investigative self study unit teaching trigonometry graphs (optional)

4.create an investigative self study unit in your own subject field

11 An example of An example of investigative investigative learninglearning

…a personal episode

Teaching

graphs

I aimed for the learners to•observe•make conjectures•experiment•make mistakes•try again•come to conclusions•even Pythagoras had to start somewhere!

Feedback

Making observations helped me understand the graphs.

I concentrate much more using the computer.

I like working in pairs. If one doesn’t understand, the other can explain.

Nice to get out of

the classroom.

It was fun I must say working with the computer. Thanks for the lessons.

I enjoyed having the

challenge to find

something on our own. I

learnt a lot.

It was boring.

I prefer actually doing the work in class.

Positive aspects:

• less time generating the graphs• more time to observe and discuss• pupils could work at own pacepupils could work at own pace• more capable pupils worked

independently• co-operative learning

Needing attention – those who…• were unskilled in an investigative were unskilled in an investigative

situationsituation

• lacked confidence

• were unable to sustain a high level of concentration

• were passive

• finished quickly

Action:

• teach investigative learning

• give overview

• put material on school intranet

• intervene - cajole and encourage

• suggest repetition of activities

• increase structure and guidance

• open ended challenges

• suggest helpful web sites

• assessment activities at regular intervals

• sum up with a computer based test

Action continued:

22 Know the basicsKnow the basics

•yourself

•theory

•suitable activities

•learners

•technology

•topic

Know yourself

“Am I an informer or a facilitator?”

Know the theory

Good, investigative activities need certain basic components

Invest

igati

ve

Learn

ing

© The Ohio Resource Center 2009

Engagement Awareness

Exploration Knowledge

Explanation Skill

Expansion Mastery

Assess until Success

Invest

igati

ve L

earn

ing

Engagement Awareness

Exploration Knowledge

Explanation Skill

Expansion Mastery

Assess until Success

Necessary components for success

•observation

•making conjectures

•experimenting

•making mistakes

•trying again

•coming to conclusions

•application

Suitable activities including…

Your learners

•academic ability

•ability to concentrate

•investigative skills

•prior knowledge

•attitude to technology

•ability to cope with the unexpected

•willingness to work co-operatively

Technology•programme

•anticipate problem areas

•possible interference with the learning

•“practice” session

•maximise active engagement

Know your topic

•suitability for investigative learning

•skills and knowledge to be learnt

3.3.Investigative self study Investigative self study unit unit This is optional! (Suggest you try some of it)

You will need

•hard copy of the unit (to be handed out)

•graphing softwareGraphmatica on CDAutograph (if on computer)

4.4. Create an investigative Create an investigative self study unitself study unit

Reminders:Know•yourself•theory• suitable activities •learners•technology•topic

Activities•observe•make conjectures•experiment•make mistakes•try again•come to conclusions•apply