Chapter 7: Teaching Inquiry, Problem-Solving, and Research

What are the 5 C's emphasized in the profile of a Virginia Graduate?

• Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Collaboration, Communication and Citizenship

• Content Knowledge, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication and Citizenship

• Critical Thinking, Communication, Confidence, Creativity and Citizenship

• Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Curriculum, Creativity and Citizenship

Which type of Data is characterized by everyday teaching practices, such as exit tickets?

• Formal Data

• Informal Data

• Research Results

• "Big Data"

Answer explanation

Informal Data:
Data collected by teachers to reflect on the needs of their students, often referring to everyday teaching practices

What is the first step in the data-based decision-making process?

• Data Collection

• Sense-Making

• Set Goals

• Evaluate

• Take Action

Answer explanation

Data-based decision making starts with goal setting, but then uses an iterative process that includes collecting data, sense making, and acting and evaluating (Schildkamp, 2019). Collecting data is the first step in determining if goals are being reached, as shown in Figure 7.1.

In the Data Driven Dialogue Protocol, what phase involves participants sharing their beliefs and assumptions before viewing the data?

• Phase 1: Predictions

• Phase 2: Go Visual

• Phase 3: Observations

• Phase 4: Inferences

Answer explanation

• Phase 1 Predictions–Surfacing perspectives, beliefs, assumptions, predictions, possibilities, questions and expectations.

• Phase 2 Go Visual–Recreate the data visually.

• Phase 3 Observations–Analyzing the data for patterns, trends, surprises, and new questions that “jump” out.

• Phase 4 Inferences–Generating hypothesis, inferring, explaining, and drawing conclusions. Defining new actions and interactions and the data needed to guide their implementation. Then create a plan of action (Love, 2002).

What is the main focus of action research in educational settings?

• Generalizability across all educational settings

• Conducting formal inquiries for publication

• Establishing standardized testing measures

• Testing new instructional strategies and evaluating their effectiveness

Answer explanation

Action research allows the teacher to implement instructional changes, collect data, reflect, and make effective instructional changes in the classroom.

Problem-based Learning emphasized solving ________problems that are open-ended.

Answer explanation

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered instructional strategy that allows students to solve real world problems that are open-ended.

In the Suchman Inquiry Model, students first _____a problem, which initiates the inquiry process.

Answer explanation

Steps of the Suchman Inquiry Model

Step 1: Encounter/experience the problem.

Step 2: Gather data by asking yes or no questions to the teacher.

Step 3: Experiment with different materials and test theories.

Step 4: Present theory or solution. The teacher responds and helps students clarify if needed by asking questions (not affirming or evaluating questions or theories).

Step 5: Reflect on the questions and methods used for inquiry. This reflection may spark new questions (Suchman, 1966).

The step in data-based decision making where teachers analyze data to evaluate goal achievement is called ______.

Answer explanation

"The sense making process may lead to further instructional or curriculum changes, or it may lead to further data collection. In the previous scenario, the teachers most likely need data that describes the student’s ability to write a research report or possibly a history assessment that asks the students to use critical thinking skills to answer short essay questions, instead of using rote memorization. If stakeholders agree after they make sense of the data, they may decide on an action that needs to be taken, or they may decide that more data collection is needed."

______ Inquiry involves students designing their own procedures to find answers to questions provided by the teacher.

Answer explanation

• Level 3 Guided Inquiry–Teacher provides research questions, and students must design and follow their own procedures to formulate findings.

"Critical thinking involves the process of conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and _______ information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication."(Scriven & Paul, 2007, p. 1)

Answer explanation

Critical thinking is defined as “The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication.” (Scriven & Paul, 2007, p. 1).