As a learning support specialist teacher, I teach students with varying abilities and learning designations. Using Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE) will be highly beneficial as it offers students a different style and approach to learning. I often incorporate visuals and videos when teaching my students and also ensure I provide a break down and step by step instructions. Using WISE will allow for this while working at their own pace. My students would appreciate the breakdown of questions and prompts as it allows them to focus on the specific task. Slotta & Lonn (2009) describe WISE has having many types of activities which “promotes autonomous learning.”
Looking at the Photosynthesis Project (ID: 9932), there seemed to be lack of autonomous learning to enhance student learning. Some changes I made were I added in videos to the introductory activities and added in additional images to activities that were mainly text based. Thinking about my students who are visual learners and require visuals to make connections to text, this was an important change because the content was mainly all text. Further, for my English Language Learners (ELL) they rely heavily on visuals to learn concepts and to make connections.
I made changes to the Quiz by removing the “only three chances to complete this quiz” component, as this will cause stress for some students and would not enhance learning. I did like how with some questions, there was immediate feedback for the learner and if the student made an incorrect error, they were redirected to the section that needed to be reviewed as it wouldn’t let the student move forward. This is essential as with some programs, students just click through and going through the motions without gaining knowledge. This way, students go back to review concepts they don’t understand and can spend more time in those areas.
Further, I added some collaboration components for some of the activities as this was lacking in this unit. Overall I believe the WISE can have place within the classroom as supplementary support to enhance learning, but it will be important that the WISE activities are tailored to the students’ needs.
Linn, M. C., Clark, D., & Slotta, J. D. (2003). WISE design for knowledge integration. Science education, 87(4), 517-538.
Slotta, J. D., & Linn, M. C. (2009). WISE science: Web-based inquiry in the classroom. Teachers College Press.
Hi Amanda,
I think it is so important that you pointed out “it will be important that the WISE activities are tailored to the students’ needs.” While I believe that this program can have a place in the classroom, it’s important that teachers view the material and how it’s being presented and consider all the learners in their class. As you mention, for instance, as I did in my post, it would be difficult for students whose first language was not English to follow along with comprehension. One thing I appreciated about WISE was how you could easily duplicate a project and modify it. This gives teachers an opportunity to work with the material and update it as needed.
Thanks for your post!
Sarah
Yes I agree. I think I would use WISE as a supplementary activity or for my advanced learners with gifted designations, as they always enjoy challenges and working through projects tailored to their learning level. It’s true, the lessons are easily adaptable and can be updated easily.
Dear Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I like your suggestion about adding visuals to make learning more accessible for ELL and other learners who work better with visuals. Likewise, I agree that WISE is a tool that can support autonomous learning.
In this post, you mentioned how it is important to review missed questions in order to reduce or correct misconceptions. To extend the conversation, how would you develop students reflective skills and habits to check learning gaps?
Cheers,
Alice
Hi Alice,
Great question. If I were using WISE, I would include a post-reflection activity after each module which would help to find gaps in student learning. Further, prior to students attempting the next activity, I would probably have a “check-in” quiz to ensure students have the correct knowledge before moving forward. Possibly maybe a think pair share as not all students would enjoy completing a quiz. What about you?