Title: Fostering scientific inquiry in schools through science research course and Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL)

Authors: Seng Chee Tan, David Hung Wei Loong, Kah Lay So

Addresses: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore. ' National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore. ' River Valley High School, 698 West Coast Road, Singapore 608784, Singapore

Abstract: This study focused on fostering students| scientific inquiry skills through Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) in K-12 classrooms through a science research course complemented with Knowledge Forum (a CSCL tool). The subjects were 71 secondary one (7th grade) students in a Singapore school. The Test for Integrated Process Skills II (TIPS II) developed by Burns et al. (1985) was administered before and after the treatment so as to compare the students| scientific inquiry skills. Qualitative analysis of the students| discourse was used to derive possible reasons and processes leading to the observed outcomes. The results showed that the treatment enhanced the students| scientific inquiry skills, especially in the area of identifying variables and stating hypothesis. Possible contributing factors to the results include provision of scaffolding and students| characteristics such as direct engagement with scientific problems and recognition of self as epistemic agent.

Keywords: computer supported collaborative learning; CSCL: scientific inquiry skills; science instruction; computers in schools; Singapore; K-12; science education; secondary education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2005.006518

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2005 Vol.1 No.3, pp.273 - 292

Published online: 18 Mar 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article