Science as Inquiry in the Secondary Setting
Fri, Jul 18, 2008 4:10 PM
Inquiry Explained
Since the first day of my science methods course 15 years ago, I have searched for guidance as to what is inquiry and what it "looks like". When first seeing this book advertised last October (2007), I quickly pre-ordered a copy. When I recieved this book, I devoured every word--it had answered my questions and confirmed my ideas. And printing on pages that mimic a lab journal was a clever idea.
One of the positives of this book is the fact that the term "inquiry" was never defined. Instead the authors of the various chapters, including the vignettes, furnish descriptions and examples, providing the reader with the big picture. I especially liked Windschitl's discussion around the problem of teaching the "scientific method", and how this method we push "promotes experimentation as the only method of investigating the world...." He concludes the chapter with a description of what inquiry looks like in the classroom.
I have tagged, noted, underlined and quoted this book often. I have recommended it to teacher groups and science methods professors/instructors. I would recommend it as for use in a book study among science teachers. Administrators or instructional supervisors would also find this of great benefit as it will give them a feel for what science education looks like.