ACCOMMODATING DIVERSE LEARNERS THROUGH INQUIRY ALONG WITH SIX MAJOR PRINCIPLES AT ELEMENTARY LEVEL
Ahmed Sher Awan1*, Ishtiaq Ahmed Gondal2 and Um-ul-Huda3
1Asst. Prof. Dr., University of the Punjab, Pakistan, a.sherawan@yahoo.com
2Assoc. Prof. Dr., University of the Punjab, Pakistan, ishtiaqgondal64@gmail.com
3Research Scholar, Miss., University of Management and Technology, umulhuda93@gmail.com
*Corresponding Author
Abstract
Inquiry method is generally considered an effective teaching method for learning science. However, recent researches show that it is not as effective for students lacking motivation. Similarly, science educators have to face another major challenge of student diversity which emerges due to individual differences, group differences and certain exceptionalities. Therefore, this experimental research study focuses to accommodate the diverse learners at elementary level to teach General Science (related to Physics and Biology topics) through inquiry method along with additional six major principles. It means Big Ideas, Conspicuous Strategies, Mediated Scaffolding, Strategic Integration Primed Background Knowledge and Judicious Review. When inquiry method is implemented along with these six major principles, it becomes much more effective. Therefore, in order to find out its effectiveness, four trained prospective teachers voluntarily involved to conduct this experimental research in the form of two teams (two members in each group) to teach two classes of 8th grade, with the strength of 35 and 40 students comprising of diverse learners in two separate public schools at Lahore. Both the teams were trained to prepare 20 lessons each for Physics as well as Biology topics from 8th grade General Science group. This research was completed in six weeks. Two tests of equal nature were used, as Pre-test and Post-test. On the basis of the learning outcomes of both classes, it was concluded that the inquiry method along with six major principles at elementary level was successful in accommodating the diverse learners by achieving the high academic achievements in Post-test as compared to the pre-test. This also proved that teachers’ training and lesson planning for diverse learners was also effective.
Keywords: Diverse learners, Six major principles, Inquiry method, Teachers’ training, lesson planning
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