Inquiry based learning in Integrated Science lessons : an educational pack and teacher views

Abstract

Several documents highlight that the main model of instruction which is best suited for teaching science is that of inquiry based learning (IBL) due to the fact that it encourages the development of skills which are needed in today’s world. Therefore, the aim of this dissertation was to prepare an educational pack containing lesson plans and worksheets on several units from the Year 8/Form 2 Integrated Science Curriculum with the aim of integrating IBL in the teaching of science. The lesson plans include tasks and activities with different levels of inquiry and the level of inquiry increases from one lesson plan to the next. The educational pack was then given to teachers who were interviewed to obtain teachers’ views about the strengths and limitations of the resources prepared and to highlight the views about IBL and its implementation during science lessons. Even though the Maltese syllabi and curricula suggest that teachers should use an IBL approach whilst teaching science, teachers often refrain from doing so due to several challenges they encounter whilst teaching. Thus, the educational pack can be a valuable set of resources and activities for teachers to use during their science lessons in order to see that IBL might not be so challenging to implement during lessons as it can be integrated gradually in their teaching.