Cookbook vs' Inquiry Labs

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Cookbook vs. Inquiry Labs

• Melissa Brown
• Shannon Brown

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Cookbook Labs

• Students follow precise procedures
• Are asked specific questions, sometimes asked to
  make a drawing

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Problems with Cookbook Labs

• Students are usually not involved in constructing
  the procedures
• Prevents recognizing and selecting relevant and
  irrelevant information during an investigation

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Problems with Cookbook Labs

• Perceives the objective as finishing the
  procedure rather than attaining specific
  objectives
• Not engaged in learning and the process is viewed
  as boring

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Inquiry Labs

• The active processes in which students are
  engaged as they pursue the understanding of
  science
• Reflects the nature of inquiry in science

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Why use Inquiry Labs

• Student learning is enhanced
• Students have a more active role and are given
  more control
• Reflects the scientific communitys approach to
  research

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Difficulties with Inquiry Labs

• More Time Consuming
• More demanding
• Teachers need assistance in putting inquiry
  teaching into practice

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Teachers And Students Role

• Dispenser of knowledge vs Coach and facilitator
• Passive receiver vs self directed learner

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State and National Standards

• Ask questions that can be investigated
  empirically
• Design and conduct scientific investigations
• Justify plans or explanations on a theoretical or
  empirical basis

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Teaching Standards

• Teachers of science plan an inquiry based science
  program for their students
• Teachers of science guide and facilitate learning

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Professional Development

• Requires learning essential science content
  through the perspectives and methods of inquiry

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Profession Development

• Requires building understanding and ability for
  lifelong learning

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Changing a cookbook lab to an inquiry lab

• Give students a goal or objective to accomplish
• Only give essential procedures to students
• Provide the students with a list of resources and
  materials

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Changing a cookbook lab to an inquiry lab

• Add meaningful questions to the end of the lab or
  have students prepare a write up
• Resist telling students what to do

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Examples

• Dialysis lab
• Gas law lab
• Hot air balloon lab
• Science Olympiad