Skip to main content

A Study of Scientific Inquiry Activities in Smart Classrooms of a Primary School

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Blended Learning: Aligning Theory with Practices (ICBL 2016)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 9757))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

As inquiry is not only an approach, but also the goal of scientific learning, cultivating students’ ability of inquiry in learning science subjects becomes a key element of the new curriculum reform. Smart classrooms, which may facilitate learning activities to enhance students’ ability of independent learning, inquiry and creativity, offer a new direction in designing scientific inquiry activities. Based on the theory in activity and constructivism, this study analyzes the key elements of scientific inquiry activities in smart classrooms of a primary school and defines a mechanism for the six types of scientific inquiry activities identified. Investigation is one of the six types of scientific inquiry activities. This study analyzes how activities of investigation work and be supported in a smart learning environment. Experimental results indicate that investigative inquiry activities in a smart classroom can raise learning achievements, develop the ability of inquiry, and improve the investigative ability, scientific attitude and emotion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. The Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (MOE): Science curriculum standard. Beijing Normal University Press, Beijing (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Han, S.X.: Research on the design of primary schools’ scientific inquiry activities under the environment of internet of tings. Master’s thesis, Jiangnan University (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gu, C.M.: Science teaching present situation investigation in elementary School of Lianyungang City. J. New Curriculum Res. 04, 132–135 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Zhang, H.X., Yu, B.: The past and the present of primary science education reform: an international perspective. J. Comp. Edu. Rev. 08, 55–59 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Tang, Y.W., Pang, J.W., Zhong, S.C., Wang, W.: Under the information technology environment smart classroom building method and case study. J. China Edu. Technol. 11, 23–29 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Liang, W.: Under the information technology environment smart classroom building. J. Edu. Inf. Technol. 10, 14–15+7 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang, J.: Flipped class practice in the smart classroom taking “The positive and negative graphics images” as an example. J. Edu. Inf. Technol. 10, 20–23 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zhang, J.: Strategy to present the scientific inquiry activities optimizingly in primary school. J. Edu. Pract. Res. 01, 77–78 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Yang, X.: Preliminary discussion on how to design the scientific inquiry activities of students. Master’s thesis, Nanjing Normal University (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Collins, T.A.: Science inquiry as knowledge transformation: investigating metacognitive and self-regulation strategies to assist students in writing about scientific inquiry tasks. D. Ph.D thesis, Oregon State University (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Han, G.Y.: Research on the science inquiry based on network effectively improve students’ science literacy. Master’s thesis, South Normal University (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Pang, J.W., Wang, M.X., Tang, Y.W., Xie, Y.G., Wang, W.: The construction and case study of primary english smart classroom in e-schoolbag environment. J. China Edu. Technol. 9, 63–70 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Sun, S.H., Liu, B.Q., Li, X.Y.: The construction and application of smart classroom in big data era. J. China Inf. Technol. Edu. Z1,112–114 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Jena, A.K.: Does the constructivist approach applicable through concept maps to achieve meaningful learning in science? Asia-Pac. Forum Sci. Learn. Teach. 13(1), Article 7, June 2012

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kim, J.: A study of the elementary school teacher’s intention using smart devices in class. J. Korean Assoc. Comput. Edu. 17(5), 35–42 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jeong, H.: A case study on a collaborative media production and writing class in a “SMART Education” environment. J. Elementary Korean Edu. 53, 301–335 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Yang, L.J.: Activity theory and constructivism learning view. J. Edu. Sci. Res. 4, 59–65 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Leontyev, E.: Vygotsky and Activity Theory. http://www.academia.edu/5262910/Vygotsky_and_Activity_Theory

  19. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(philosophy_of_education)

  20. Feng, H.M.: The construction of the exploratory teaching pattern of chemistry in high school. Master’s thesis, Heibei University (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Li, X.J.: Modern Chinese Standard Dictionary. FLTRP, Beijing (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Engeström, Y.: Learning by expanding: an activity-theoretical approach to developmental research. Orienta-Konsultit, Helsinki, Finland (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Xie, Y.R., Yin, R.: Instructional design and evaluation based on network. Beijing Normal University Press, Beijing (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Li, K.D.: Education Technology Research Methods. Beijing Normal University Press, Beijing (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Yang, T.T.: Research on mobile learning activity design based on activity theory. Master’s thesis, Shandong University (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  26. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/technology/files/2012/03/edm-la-brief.pdf

  27. National Research Council: The National Science Education Standards. Beijing Science and Technology Literature Press, Beijing (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Fu, Z.R., Li, X.F., Xu, G.R.: The design of science inquiry activity in elementary school. J. Popular Sci. 1, 97–98 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  29. He, C.Q.: Attaching great importance to the investigation activities, improve the students’ practical ability. J. Biol. Teach. 12, 38–39 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Miller, J.D.: Scientific literacy: a conceptual and empirical review. J. Daedalus 112(2), 29–48 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wei Li .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Li, W., Kwok, Lf., Wu, S., Ni, M. (2016). A Study of Scientific Inquiry Activities in Smart Classrooms of a Primary School. In: Cheung, S., Kwok, Lf., Shang, J., Wang, A., Kwan, R. (eds) Blended Learning: Aligning Theory with Practices . ICBL 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 9757. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41165-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41165-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41164-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41165-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics