Inquiry-Based Learning has always been a cornerstone of science learning. As students need to make observations to inquire into phenomena in our natural world, hands-on experiences have been powerful drivers of Inquiry-Based Learning. Blended Learning (combining hands-on with online) provides advantages that can enhance students' learning experiences in Inquiry.

Date: 6 July 2023 (Thu)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code SCI-000186 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

Questions are an effective teaching tool used by teachers to assess students’ learning progress, promote conceptual understanding and stimulate critical thinking. Effective questions can lead to new insights, broaden the discussion, and promote the exploration of content matter. 

Within a lesson, teachers ask a variety of questions serving different purposes. They may be questions to help students recall prior knowledge, and facilitate active participation as part of the process of co-constructing knowledge, or they are high-order thinking questions to guide students to analyze or evaluate concepts. Some can even be extension questions to prompt students to apply their knowledge to real-life contexts. 

In this workshop, participants will be focussing on the use of Elements of Thoughts (EoTs) and SOLO Taxonomy in crafting questions to deepen the learning of Science through inquiry-based learning tasks and written assignments. 

Date: 25 August 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code SCI-000184 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

This workshop will demonstrate how inquiry-based learning is carried out with e-pedagogy to provide an authentic learning experience for the students on the topic of “Dispersal of Seeds”.

Using laminated wing-like structure models, students investigated how different wing-like structures affect seed dispersal by wind. Students applied their process skills accompanied by the scaffolding of thinking processes and engaged in scientific oral discourse using Science talk, while teachers provided real-time monitoring and feedback using the ICT tool - Classkick. Differentiated instruction was implemented to cater to the varied learners.

Resultantly, students could infer, predict, communicate and prove their hypothesis collaboratively. Classkick also enhanced the meaningful discussions between the teachers and students.

Date: 23 March 2023 (Thu)

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face workshop

Registration: Search for the course code EP-000059 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

What happens when children are given the opportunity to use simple tools to explore, investigate and report their findings? How can Science teachers leverage the school garden to raise student engagement and stimulate students’ conceptual learning?  At Yu Neng Primary School, Science teachers have collaborated and designed outdoor trail and inquiry lessons to enrich the Upper Primary students’ Science learning. Participants have the opportunity to experience outdoor learning experiences, which leveraged the use of ICT tools such as Epicollect and Padlet and plan a trail for their school eco-garden using the different ICT tools.

Date: 30 March 2023 (Thu)

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face workshop

Registration: Search for the course code SCI-000177 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

Transformations in the society suggest that students need to be independent and autonomous lifelong learners (Roche, 2017; Cynthia 2015). As teachers are increasingly challenged by the demands to develop students who are self-directed, it is therefore beneficial to ensure that students are equipped with self-regulated learning capabilities to empower them to learn for life. (Ee, Chang, & Tan, 2004; Kremer-Hayon & Tillema, 1999). 

This interactive workshop will share on self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017), and how it is used to promote students’ motivation and self-directedness in the various subjects through the walkthrough of sample success stories from Edgefield Primary School. The effects of gradual release of responsibilities and analyses of student outcomes will also be shared.

Date: 25 April 2023 (Tue)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code SCI-000185 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.