Reading List

The following articles are to be read on the date noted and a report submitted within 48 hours of the assigned date. The report should be written using the following format.

R - Read the article in it's entirety and take notes on the important points.
S - Summarize the content of the article.
R - Reflect on the merits and limitations of the article. Include your thoughts about how the article
      impacts you and the teaching profession.
Q - Create three questions that you would like to ask the author about the article's content.



Readings:

Due: February 1, 2014
Last semester we spent a good amount of time learning about the flipped classroom. This semester we want to explore first some of the cautions we may see in a flipped classroom implementation. I have chosen the following articles as alternatives to the work we've done.

"The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Flipped Classroom." 2012. 29 Jan. 2014 <http://info.lecturetools.com/blog/bid/59158/The-Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-the-Flipped-Classroom> (LINK)

"Why I Gave Up Flipped Instruction - Powerful Learning Practice." 2012. 29 Jan. 2014 <http://plpnetwork.com/2012/10/08/flip-love-affair/> (LINK)



Due: February 15, 2014
After attending the L.A.N.D.S. Curriculum Training and blogging about how you may want to implement it in the classroom or use for as a training topic, read the articles below and report on the readings.

Orion, Nir, and Avi Hofstein. "Factors that influence learning during a scientific field trip in a natural environment." Journal of research in science teaching 31.10 (1994): 1097-1119. (LINK)

The Influence of Outdoor and Environmental Education on  Student Engagement and Achievement in Science (LINK)


Due: March 2, 2014
You recently were involved in working with a live animal, but what are your thoughts about working with preserved specimens. What are your thoughts about animal dissections or the alternative of using classroom or computer simulations?

Kinzie, Mable B, Richard Strauss, and Jean Foss. "The effects of an interactive dissection simulation on the performance and achievement of high school biology students." Journal of Research in Science Teaching 30.8 (1993): 989-1000.  LINK

Science Teacher and Dissection Debate: Perspectives on Animal Dissection and Alternatives. LINK


Due: March 29, 2014
Keeping tabs of our own progress is a challenge. We never have enough time to reflect, but as you'll see in the articles below something entirely necessary. Journals, drawings, photographs, and recordings are easy, but interpreting their meaning to our teaching and our profession is a different matter. Read these articles and reflect what they mean to you.

Using A Journal For Personal Development - Although this isn't an academic journal, I felt it was worth including. It makes some great points about why we should and how we should treat personal journals.

Research on Learning Logs - This study presents descriptions on a school's implementation of writing processes to increase metacognition. 

Due: April 26, 2014

There is only one article which focuses on inquiry at the middle school level. It's a long article so only one reading has been assigned. Reflect on this article using the RSRQ model and post on your blog. Check to see that I'm invited to your blog so that I can review your comments.

Inquiry in Project-Based Science Classrooms: Initial Attempts by Middle School Students (Krajcik, et al., 1998).