Promoting inquiry-based science instruction: The validation of the Ccience Teacher Inquiry Rubric (STIR)

The National Science Education Standards recognize that inquiry-based instruction holds significant promise for developing scientifically literate students. The Science Teacher Inquiry Rubric (STIR) was developed based upon the National Science Education Standards’ essential features of inquiry instruction (NRC, 2000). A pilot study using a purposive sample of ten science teachers was conducted to establish the rubric as both an observation tool and a self-reflection instrument. While the overall correlation of the instrument (r=.58) does not support its use as a self-assessment instrument, a perfect correlation between two raters (r=1) established the STIR as an effective observation tool. Additionally, the validation of the instrument provided various insights into the teaching of inquiry in science classrooms.

[1]  Sandra H. Fradd,et al.  Teachers' Roles in Promoting Science Inquiry with Students from Diverse Language Backgrounds. , 1999 .

[2]  S. Koziol,et al.  Teachers' Accuracy in Self-Reporting about Instructional Practices Using a Focused Self-Report Inventory. , 1986 .

[3]  Jim Minstrell,et al.  Inquiring into Inquiry Learning and Teaching in Science , 2000 .

[4]  Joseph Krajcik,et al.  Performance of Students in Project-Based Science Classrooms on a National Measure of Science Achievement. , 2002 .

[5]  Sandra K. Abell,et al.  Constraints to teaching elementary science: A case study of a science enthusiast student teacher , 1992 .

[6]  Marcia C. Linn,et al.  Network science a decade later: The internet and classroom learning , 2003 .

[7]  George E. DeBoer,et al.  A history of ideas in science education : implications for practice , 1992 .

[8]  Alec M. Bodzin,et al.  An Online Inquiry Instructional System for Environmental Issues , 1999 .

[9]  John W. Newfield.  Accuracy of Teacher Reports: Reports and Observations of Specific Classroom Behaviors , 1980 .

[10]  Frank T. Hinerman.  Interactive Video Labs , 1991 .

[11]  J. Shea.  National Science Education Standards , 1995 .

[12]  Edgar W. Jenkins,et al.  Benchmarks for Science Literacy: a review symposium∗ , 1995 .

[13]  E. Soloway,et al.  A Collaborative Model for Helping Middle Grade Science Teachers Learn Project-Based Instruction , 1994, The Elementary School Journal.

[14]  Joseph Krajcik,et al.  Teaching Children Science: A Project-Based Approach , 1998 .

[15]  B. Crawford.  Embracing the essence of inquiry: New roles for science teachers , 2000 .

[16]  Joseph J. Schwab.  The Teaching of Science as Inquiry , 1958 .

[17]  John W. Moore.  Science Education Standards , 1998 .