tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339009542011-06-08T14:25:42.808+08:00A blog on the journey of physics teaching and learning using guided inquiry & action research - beginning 5 September 2006.Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comBlogger371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-86275330750168800662007-06-09T21:54:00.001+08:002007-06-09T21:57:42.743+08:00

Yesterday, the team met up with Dr Yap and Alexis to update everyone on:inquiry-based lessons completed and action research donelist of lesson materials and outcomespreparation of papers for cluster sharing, AR publication and conferencebudget expenditureplans for Semester 2issues and concerns on inquiry-based learning and action research

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-44359296988163695272007-06-06T22:24:00.000+08:002007-06-06T22:32:12.149+08:00

Dr Soh Kay Cheng has published a book "Workshops on Action Research: A Guide for Teachers to Become Teacher-researchers" (May 2006). Mr Lau has purchased 10 copies for our teachers.Related resources can be found at Dr Soh's website at www.cllab.net/sohkc/download.html

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-61363737816177313202007-05-30T23:41:00.000+08:002007-05-30T23:49:55.097+08:00

The team has shared on "Inquiry-based learning in Physics" as an Innowits project during the staff contact in school. We would draft abstracts/presentations to contribute to the following:Cluster SharingNZ AR publication (14 Jul)ICET 2007 (Nov)

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-30075248035618704662007-04-04T15:41:00.000+08:002007-04-04T16:06:39.353+08:00

The Teachers' Network website provides useful database for teachers doing research, e.g. finding journal articles online.At http://sam11.moe.gov.sg/tn/gds/login.asp, login using edumail account.On right sidebar, click on eResources. These include:1. ASTD (American Society for Training & Development)2. EBSCOhost Reseach Databases3. Lexis-Nexis Research Database4. Newslink (The Business Times, The

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-34292286547910666902007-03-25T17:37:00.000+08:002007-03-25T17:48:36.251+08:00

We met Alexis (ETO) on 23 Mar to report on the LEAD IT Project progress. We updated him on the project design and results of 3 projects: namely inquiry-based learning and AR on Waves (longitudinal and transverse waves) and Kinematics (graphical interpretation), and AR on IT-based interactive module on Light (Lenses). He suggested extending our research through:longitudinal attitude survey for a

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-69858968223307930092007-03-19T05:34:00.000+08:002007-03-19T05:39:34.943+08:00

The Sec 4 team met on Wed 14 Mar to discuss planning of inquiry-based learning on Electricity. Key components:a. introduction to topicb. introduction to use of Crocodile Physicsc. pre-test/post-testd. design of modules: model of electric current, current & resistance, voltage, energy & power, using Crocodile Physics as a key software.e. attitude survey

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-90579350694144686032007-02-21T02:11:00.000+08:002007-02-21T02:15:15.743+08:00

Dr Yap has published an interesting article on "Assessing conceptual learning from quantitative problem solving of a plane mirror problem" athttp://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0031-9120/42/1/005/

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-6710944426109753262007-02-17T01:07:00.000+08:002007-02-21T02:06:54.418+08:00

The team met Dr Yap on 15 Feb. He reviewed our current project results analysis and gave us useful insights into inquiry based learning and the action research methology.Some learning points are:the duration of the alternative teaching strategy needs to be sufficiently long to have any significant effectbesides test scores, it is good to have other "measures" such as attitude surveys, analysis of

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-4559591893617127102007-02-03T06:49:00.000+08:002007-02-03T06:58:12.281+08:00

The project team met yesterday to update progress. One group shared on the AR project on "Lenses"; the other shared on the Inquiry-based project on "Kinematics". Project designs and evaluation procedures were discussed. Appointment with an NIE consultant would be made to discuss the analysis of the results using AR tools.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-60221017459724688972007-01-30T08:01:00.000+08:002007-01-30T08:05:01.330+08:00

LensesWe've conducted the written post-test of 5 items and are analysing the results. A perception survey of the attitudes of the students towards the two learning methods has been conducted in the computer lab using the online assessment feature in our Learning Management System (LMS).

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-61908871530633301692007-01-23T16:32:00.000+08:002007-01-23T16:47:02.905+08:00

7 Jan 2007We've designed an action research project to help us to familiarise with the AR process.1. A group of students would learn the topic "lenses" (under Light) using an interactive IT-based lesson module (downloaded from MOE http://www.moe.gov.sg/edsoftware/ir/physics.htm and installed in computer lab) while another equivalent group would have normal classroom lessons. Written worksheets

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-79510224859404467812006-12-18T23:44:00.000+08:002006-12-18T23:52:08.708+08:00

18 Dec 2007I have placed orders for the software Crocodile Physics ver 605. This new version has easy-to-use interactive features to allow easy creation of physics simulations for topics such as kinematics, dynamics, energy, waves, electrical circuits, practical electricity, light, etc. (only limited by our imagination). See screen shot (click to see larger view).

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-72814201959207135232006-11-24T00:53:00.000+08:002006-11-24T01:04:30.293+08:00

23 Nov 2006I was surfing the net for educational and research resources. Some interesting finds:1. The Electronic Journal of Science Education- an online journal on science educationhttp://unr.edu/homepage/jcannon/ejse/ejse.html- or do a journal search using google search engine directly!http://unr.edu/homepage/jcannon/ejse/ejsesearch.html2. Physicweb site- Dr Yap told me about the usefulness of

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-62061760147012344272006-11-24T00:49:00.000+08:002006-11-24T01:04:00.796+08:00

23 Nov 2006I am attending the 3-day International Science Edcuation Conference organised by NIE, MOE and STAS. Its a good opportunity to meet up with old friends, ex-colleagues, working in schools or at MOE HQs. Its also a good time to reflect on my teaching practices as I listened to speaker after speaker on what they have tried out as science that works!Find out some of the keynote speakers

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-89695931841418369202006-11-18T11:04:00.000+08:002006-11-18T11:10:36.770+08:00

17 Nov 2006Wan Eng joined us for the Sharing/Discussion at Crescent Girls' School.Some of my learning points today:1. experimental induction of formula2. instructional strategies for Electricity3. Action Research - what is and what is not4. findings and methodolgy of action research (MGS)5. ideas for IT-enhanced inquiry-based approach

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-3214413249402629932006-11-18T10:52:00.000+08:002006-11-18T16:57:50.986+08:00

16 Nov 2006Mr Lau, Wee Yap and I attended the Sharing/Discussion on Action Research in PbI (Electricity) organised by CPDD at Crescent Girls' School.Some of my learning points:1. principles of learning - pre-existing knowledge, develop competence in learning, and active learning2. essential features of inquiry-based lessons3. ideas first -> names later -> formulae last3. common preconceptions and

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-82835626687989240852006-11-18T10:38:00.001+08:002006-11-18T10:48:56.840+08:00

15 Nov 2006The project team (Mr Lau, Wan Eng, Peici, Wee Yap and I) met to review the 2006 LEAD IT@Deyi work plan and discuss the 2007 work plan. Chip Pin has a CCA commitment. Wee Yap just joined our physics team after completing his NIE training. Key areas of discussion include topics for and schedule of inquiry-based lessons for 2007, consultancy and partnership, training and professional

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-12578375266603080162006-11-10T22:32:00.000+08:002006-11-10T22:36:19.842+08:00

10 Nov 2006My school staff just visited Nanyang Poly today. Its facilities, course offerings, and teaching and learning environment are impressive. Would consider some form of collaboration (Learning@NYP) for our students to have exposure and access to applied-physics courses and facilities. Inquiry learning could be weaved into the lesson design.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-57315699608468827582006-10-28T00:47:00.000+08:002006-10-28T00:58:40.143+08:00

26 Oct 2006I met up with an NIE lecturer and Alexis (ETD) to discuss areas of collaboration. Some useful ideas thrown up:1. There are different "models" of inquiry with different dimensions for investigation. These may be modified or adapted to the needs of the project or the intervention strategy identified.2. An inquiry-based approach seeks to engage learners in different orders of thinking.3.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-89046191426696330972006-10-25T10:08:00.000+08:002006-10-25T10:17:10.073+08:00

25 Oct 2006CPDD (MOE) is organising a discussion cum hands-on session over two days 16 and 17 Nov on implementing an action-research project in the topic "Electricity" at theTeachers Network. Some of our physics teachers will be attending. We hope to gain some useful ideas on implementing action research in "Electricity" next year and to adapt the PbI material developed by Prof. L.C. McDermott

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-19970083835320026772006-10-10T18:54:00.000+08:002006-10-25T09:58:06.806+08:00

9 Oct 2006Mr Lau and I met up with an educational consultant to discuss areas of training and consultation. He shared with us some areas for inquiry-based practice such as higher order thinking, curriculum design and teachers and students' perceptions. Action research design and methodology was discussed. He brought up an interesting instrument for assessing students' conceptual understanding: a

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-82563500158479288562006-10-09T01:33:00.000+08:002006-10-09T01:44:11.549+08:00

27 Sep 2006A 20-item mcq quiz was designed to evaluate students' understanding of wave concepts including: 1. Recognising transverse waves2. Recognising longitudinal waves3. Distinguishing between these two classification of waves4. Using displacement-time graph and5. Using displacement-position graph to determine - Amplitude, Frequency, Period, Wavelength, Motion of particles6. Applying

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-75925247525620246382006-10-09T01:25:00.000+08:002006-10-09T01:33:04.731+08:00

19 Sep 2006I conducted the 2nd lesson on "General Wave Properties" with a focus on longitudinal waves. The lesson plan is similar to the first lesson. It begins with a group activity to help students to visualise longitudinal waves using a slinky. This is followed by pair work on a computer applet to investigate the concept of displacement over time and at different positions of particles

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-81359997653234964682006-09-21T00:48:00.001+08:002006-09-21T00:53:54.837+08:00

Action Research readings and resources (1)1. Action Research (AR) process and practicehttp://www.bamaed.ua.edu/~kstaples/Action%20Res.HTM2. Additional reading on AR at edu.MALL sitelhttp://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/rd/rdmap.htm3. Online statistical functions for data analysishttp://www.fon.hum.uva.nl/Service/Statistics.html

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-11610921635937612372006-09-21T00:48:00.000+08:002006-09-21T00:50:56.650+08:00

Our team intends to use Action Research methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of inquiry-based approach of learning in enhancing students' understanding of difficult physics concepts.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-32434578837964994382006-09-13T15:22:00.000+08:002006-09-13T15:49:12.969+08:00

13 Sep 2006I conducted the 1st lesson on "General Wave Properties" with kind assistance from Elsie (ETD), Wan Eng and Peici in facilitating the students' activities. Some learning points:1. Activity A1: group use of slinky to visualise transverse waves- need close teacher supervision and facilitation- some students prefer to have "fun" rather than focus on task given- students are not used to

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-47204815387359744322006-09-11T16:43:00.000+08:002007-03-09T01:43:51.622+08:00

11 Sep 2006Planning inquiry-based lesson on "General Wave Properties" with a focus on understanding of graph representation of transverse and longitudinal waves.Tentative ideas:Class: 308; Venue: Computer Lab 3;Resources: slinky springs, web-based applets -http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm/Lwave.htmhttp://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm/TwaveA.htm- powerful simulations to help students

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-61180230979551761722006-09-08T23:01:00.003+08:002006-09-08T23:40:22.016+08:00

Internet resources (2)These are some sites featuring common physics preconceptions/misconceptions:1. Recurring Science Misconceptions in K-6 Textbooks (William J. Beaty)http://www.amasci.com/miscon/miscon4.html2. Misconceptions spread by K-6 Textbooks on Electricity (William J. Beaty)http://amasci.com/miscon/elect.html3. Clarifications of certain Physics misconceptions or preconceptions using

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-81753753619980690332006-09-08T23:01:00.002+08:002006-09-08T23:25:21.757+08:00

5 Sep 2006Alexis meets JL and members of project team - Mr Lau, Mr Ang CP, Mdm Wee WE, Ms Lee PC. Detailed discussion of implementation issues.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-22691683983827737182006-09-08T23:01:00.001+08:002006-09-08T23:18:31.197+08:00

23 Aug 2006First Contact Project Meeting (LEAD IT @ Schools project) between ETOs Alexis & Elsie and school (JL, Mr Lau and principal) to1. establish short and long term goals2. identify measurable outcomes &3. surface possible implementation issues and support the school might needthrough the use of a LEAD IT Workplan prepared for the project.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-33023786472349409862006-09-08T23:01:00.000+08:002006-09-08T23:11:45.767+08:00

18 Aug 2006Sharing with Science dept teachers (interaction time). JL shared on sample inquiry-based lessons, worksheets and resource materials used:1. teacher demo of experiments (live or video)2. students hands-on experiments3. internet resources (e.g. video clips)

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-23345296054457590172006-09-08T10:27:00.000+08:002006-09-08T10:31:00.425+08:00

4 August 2006JL worked with Wee Yap (trainee) to design and implement an inquiry-based worksheet on Convection (under Transfer of thermal energy). A video clip on a a rectangular tube filled with water with ink added at the top was shown. On the worksheet, students in groups recorded what they observed, and discussed the physical basis of their observations. They were asked to predict what may

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-18309174689713929572006-09-08T10:09:00.000+08:002006-09-08T10:16:30.251+08:00

31 July 2006JL worked with Wee Yap (trainee) to design and implement an inquiry-based worksheet on Conduction (in the topic Transfer of thermal energy). A video clip on a bunsen flame heating a piece of paper (half wrapped over a plastic bottle and half wrapped over an aluminium can) was shown. On the worksheet, students predicted what would happen, explained their rationale, observed what

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-1157598870048500712006-09-07T11:14:00.000+08:002006-09-07T11:55:56.480+08:00

28 June 2006JL conducted lessons on pressure for 3E Pure Physics. Students moved to different stations to carry out simple experiments and make observations. Two of the stations with inquiry-based worksheets:1. pressure changes in a balloon being pumped.2. forces acting on an inverted water-filled cup covered with a piece of transparency.Students wrote down their ideas of the physical changes

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-1157473547775638492006-09-06T00:25:00.000+08:002006-09-07T11:54:53.806+08:00

Internet resources (1)1. Models of inquiry-based learning - some general references on various models of inquiryhttp://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/inquiry/2. Constructivism & the Five Es - in the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS) model, the constructivistic learning process is explained by employing five "E"'s: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate.http://

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-1157472936148436292006-09-06T00:15:00.000+08:002006-09-07T14:35:24.343+08:00

10 May 2006JL conducted lessons for 3E Pure Physics on Pressure. Video clips were used showing experiments using a vacuum pump and a bell jar to demonstrate the effect of pressure changes on:1. a partially blown balloon,2. a partially "crushed" empty plastic bottle and3. a beaker of hot water.On given worksheets, students described what they observe via the video clips and attempted to explain

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33900954.post-1157477974626238682006-09-05T08:43:00.000+08:002006-09-07T14:33:43.680+08:00

I started this blog to share how my colleagues and I embark on this journey to use guided inquiry in physics teaching and learning at our school.

Mr Anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774665130069133810noreply@blogger.com0