written by Thomas Withee and Rebecca S. Lindell

The national science standards encourage the use of inquiry-based instruction to teach difficult scientific concepts. As part of a larger study to investigate teachers' views on the nature of inquiry-based instruction, a survey was administered to Science and Mathematics methods course instructors to determine their views on inquiry, as well as to explore the success and difficulties associated with teaching this difficult concept. In addition, we wished to obtain their views on the "5 E's" method, an inquiry method specifically designed to promote conceptual change that is often taught as "the" method to utilize. Initial survey data suggests there are many different views among Science and Mathematics methods course instructors about the nature of inquiry. This paper discusses the difficulties encountered with the "5 E's" and teaching inquiry-based methods to teachers.

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Published February 14, 2006
Last Modified July 9, 2013

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