Sixth grade Empirical studies: Spring 2001, version 1

Study #1:

The purpose of this design research is to refine the science inquiry skills assessment (Harry Potter). We will do this in two stages. First, we will test half of Joanna's class on Harry Potter. Then we will send her class through both the Field Guide and Exhaustive Sampling activities. Then we will post-test the other half of the class. The result should give some indication of inquiry skills learning, as well as provide us with the basis for modifications to the Harry Potter assessment.

After modifying the assessment, we will run through exactly the same sequence with Kevin Harris's kids.

Study #2:

The purpose of this quasi-experimental research is to test the hypothesis that doing the detailed data collection impacts content learning of the mathematics. Marilyn and Betty's classes will represent the two treatments. Marilyn's class will do the Field Guide and Exhaustive Sampling activities. Betty's class will just do the "discussion" part of the Exhaustive Sampling activities (i.e., they will be given lists of the plants found in their sectors and continue the discussion exactly the same from that point). For each class, we will pre-test with half and post-test with the other half.

--Tom