Erin Peters

Shifting to a Student-Centered Science Classroom: An Exploration of Teacher and Student Changes in Perceptions and Practices

In this case study, an exemplary seventh grade science teacher’s beliefs, planning decisions, implementation, and student reactions to her student-centered methods were examined over a 4-week unit on genetics. This situation was unique because the teacher was new to the profession and her students had no prior experience with student-centered methods. The teacher designed a learning environment where students were expected to take responsibility for research, but initially students felt unsure about the tasks they were assigned and sought out more structure. As the teacher began to scaffold the material, a balance was achieved that resulted in student engagement during the unit. Findings from the case study can provide teacher educators with factors promoting skillful implementation of student-centered classrooms.

Self‐regulation of student epistemic thinking in science: the role of metacognitive prompts

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of a metacognitive prompts intervention‐science (MPI‐S), which is based on the nature of science with 162 eighth‐grade science students. It was hypothesised that students exposed to the intervention will show higher levels of content knowledge and knowledge about the nature of science than students in a comparison group. Attempts were also made to determine what cognitive processes are triggered during the use of metacognitive prompts. Findings showed significant improvements in students’ content knowledge and nature of science. In addition, qualitative findings revealed that the experimental group made choices based on evidence in the inquiry unit whereas the comparison group made decisions based on authority. Educational implications for practice into the classroom are discussed.

Mobile, Inquiry-Based Learning and Geological Observation: An Exploratory Study

This exploratory study examines the use of integrated and complementary technology systems including mobile devices to explore an instructional experience designed to provoke observational inquiry and geological reasoning with upper elementary and middle school students. Mobile devices combined with classroom-based computer technology loaded with Google EarthTM software provided enhanced and varying views of a geological phenomenon allowing students to identify and reason about visual evidence of erosion in their local environment. A socio-cultural frame was also employed to examine the data in relation to social structures, cultural practices and individual agency. Findings indicate that the incorporation of mobile devices into an overarching instructional intervention involving geological observational inquiry promoted enhanced geological observation and reasoning in the field as well as demonstrated some evidence of appropriation in shifts of agency, social structures and cultural practices for the students in this study.