Using Interactive Science Using Interactive Science Journals to Encourage Journals to Encourage

Reflection, Thought and Reflection, Thought and Positive AttitudePositive Attitude

UTD-SCE 5305UTD-SCE 5305

Dara Williams RossiDara Williams Rossi

December 2, 2003December 2, 2003

IntroductionIntroduction Thinking and writing Thinking and writing

about science engages about science engages the learnerthe learner

Written explanation of Written explanation of what they think forces what they think forces clarity and organization clarity and organization (Azimirara, Bletterman, & (Azimirara, Bletterman, & Romero, n.d.)Romero, n.d.)

““Thinking is the Thinking is the method of intelligent method of intelligent learning”. learning”. (Dewey, 1916, (Dewey, 1916, p.153p.153) )

JournalsJournals

WritingWriting ExplainingExplaining OrganizingOrganizing

ThinkingThinking

Why Are Journals ImportantWhy Are Journals Important

1.1. Vital function of scientists in any discipline Vital function of scientists in any discipline is to recording information, data and is to recording information, data and figures (Gray, 1988)figures (Gray, 1988)

2.2. Journals are a means of reference and Journals are a means of reference and resource (Hyers, 2001)resource (Hyers, 2001)

3.3. Communication tool between Communication tool between teacher/parentteacher/parent

Importance ContinuedImportance Continued

4.4. Unique means of Unique means of assessment/growthassessment/growth(Young, 2003)(Young, 2003)

5.5. Give the opportunity to Give the opportunity to think, reason, show think, reason, show creativity, and practice skills creativity, and practice skills to promote long-term to promote long-term leaning (Holt, 2003) leaning (Holt, 2003)

6.6. Current tools not successfulCurrent tools not successful

Strategy Strategy

Give students a TOSRA pre-surveyGive students a TOSRA pre-surveySet up the journal (input right/output Set up the journal (input right/output

left)left)Bound journal with no paper Bound journal with no paper

removed removed Give students a TOSRA post-surveyGive students a TOSRA post-surveyCompare the two classes Compare the two classes

(grades/surveys)(grades/surveys)

ConclusionConclusion

Shift our philosophyShift our philosophyFrom skill-basedFrom skill-basedTo whole educationTo whole education

Move the educator from dispenser to facilitator Move the educator from dispenser to facilitator and allow student to reflect on their own learningand allow student to reflect on their own learning

Cognitive process more important than a gradeCognitive process more important than a grade Create critical thinkers with interactive journalsCreate critical thinkers with interactive journals

ReferencesReferencesArchambault, Reginald D., ed. (1974). John Dewey on Education-Selected Writings.

Chicago: U of Chicago Press.Azimioara, M., Bletterman, C., & Romero, P., (n.d.). Another approach to the scientific

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New York: Free Press.Egan, Kieran. (1997).The Educated Mind, How Cognitive Tools Shape Our

Understanding. Chicago: U of Chicago Press.Frase, Larry & Streshleym W. (2000). Top 10 Myths in Education. Lanham: Scarecrow

Press.Gray, D. (1988). Writing across the college curriculum. Phi Delta Kappan 69(10),

pp.729-733.Gross, Martin. (1999). The Conspiracy of Ignorance, The Failure of American Public

Schools. Harper Collins: New York. Kinchin, I., & Hay, D. (2000). How a qualitative approach to concept map analysiscan be used to aid learning by illustrating. Educational Research, 42(1), pp.43-57.

References ContinuedReferences ContinuedHolt, T., (Nov. 2003) Problem based learning: the nature of a good problem

solver. Texas Science Education Monthly, pp1-2. Hyers, A. (2001) Predictable achievement patterns for student journals in

introductory earth science courses. Journal of Geography in Higher Education. 25(1), pp 53-66.

Reed, Ronald and Tony Johnson, ed. (2000). Philosophical Documents in Education, 2nd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Longman.

State Assessment. (2000) http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/state.aspShepardson, D. & Britsch, S. (Nov. 2000) Analyzing children’s science journals.

Science and Children, pp.29-33.Wells, Gordon (2000) Changing Schools from Within—Creating Communities. Toronto:OISE Press. Young, J. (2003). Science interactive notebooks in the classroom. Science

Scope, pp.44-57.

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