Anton E. Lawson (2000). Managing the Inquiry
Classroom: Problems & Solutions. The American Biology Teacher,
62, 641-647.
Summary
This article addresses the classroom management problems associated with
using the methods of inquiry as a teaching strategy in the classroom. These
problems and solutions apply to the learning cycle, which is an inquiry or
open-ended instructional model. The list of classroom management problems
was generated from teaching assistants at the Biology department of Arizona
State University, Tempe, Arizona who used the learning cycle strategy in the
presentation of their biology lessons. The article discusses fifteen
problems and solutions. Few are summarized below. 1.Some students do not
participate enough. The article recommends the following: (a) Make working
groups small, groups of two are better. (b) Allot time to activities. This
requires the teacher to perform the experiments before time. (c) Monitor
student progress by walking around the lab and watching and listening. (d)
Use effective questioning technique during class discussions to encourage
participation. The article discusses various questioning techniques. 2.Some
students do not listen. The article suggests the following remedies. Some
students have very short attention span, so (a)Use short introductory
remarks. (b)Do not spend extensive time taking roll and making
announcements. (c)The key is to have students do something first, then
discuss later. The exploration phase of the learning cycle precedes the term
introduction phase. 3.Some students lack background knowledge. Solutions
include: (a)Proper course or topic sequencing. (b)Use introductory remarks
to provide background knowledge. 4.Some students participate too much. The
article recommends the following remedies: (a)Do not call only on students
who raise their hands to answer questions. Also call on those who do not
raise their hands. 5.Some students cheat and plagiarize the work of others.
The article suggests the following remedies: (a)Ask open ended questions (b)Talk
to students early in the class about plagiarism. (c)Ask students who
plagiarize to rewrite an assignment. (d)If it persists, you may have to take
more drastic disciplinary steps.
Reaction
The above listed problems are the ones I consider the most serious among
the fifteen listed by the article. I think the problems discussed in the
article are real and present in today’s classroom. The solutions
recommended are also very effective because I us them on a daily basis. They
are not exhaustive by any means and are not a panacea for all like problems.
Individual teachers must adapt the remedies as their particular situations
dictate.
