Generating and Testing Hypotheses
Fortune Cookie (2011) by T. Stasiuk on Flickr.
When generating and testing hypotheses, students may either deduce or induce to attain answers. In both cases, students must use higher levels of understanding including analysis and evalution to build understanding.
Deduction: using general rules to make a prediction about a future event or action. Curriculum generally contains the generalizations and principles in all content areas that students need as a knowledge base to make deductions.
Induction: drawing new conclusions or rules based on observations or patterns of behavior. The student uses what they know rather than having a generalization to apply.
Generally speaking, deduction has more success as students are guided with the generalizations or principles and fewer opportunities for misconceptions or misunderstandings arise. Induction requires careful planning, frequent monitoring and feedback.
The problem-solving approach to learning is proven to develop clearer understanding of lesson concepts and builds connections between academic content and real-world application.
Deduction: using general rules to make a prediction about a future event or action. Curriculum generally contains the generalizations and principles in all content areas that students need as a knowledge base to make deductions.
Induction: drawing new conclusions or rules based on observations or patterns of behavior. The student uses what they know rather than having a generalization to apply.
Generally speaking, deduction has more success as students are guided with the generalizations or principles and fewer opportunities for misconceptions or misunderstandings arise. Induction requires careful planning, frequent monitoring and feedback.
The problem-solving approach to learning is proven to develop clearer understanding of lesson concepts and builds connections between academic content and real-world application.
Tasks for Generating and Testing Hypothesis
Each of the following strategies should be modeled for students with familiar content to teach the steps. Graphic organizers can be extremely helpful in organizing the information and frequent guidance and feedback should be provided. Students should frequently be encouraged to explain the hypotheses and conclusions.
1. Systems Analysis - analyzing the parts of a system and how they interact; simulations
2. Problem Solving - overcoming constraints or limiting conditions to achieve a goal
3. Experimental Inquiry - generating and testing explanations of observed phenomena
4. Investigation - identifying and resolving issues regarding past events that have confusions or contradictions
1. Systems Analysis - analyzing the parts of a system and how they interact; simulations
2. Problem Solving - overcoming constraints or limiting conditions to achieve a goal
3. Experimental Inquiry - generating and testing explanations of observed phenomena
4. Investigation - identifying and resolving issues regarding past events that have confusions or contradictions
Games, Simulations, Inquiry
Games, simulations, and inquiry websites all support the generating and testing hypothesis strategy.
The Horizon Report 2011 identified game-based learning as an emerging technology to have a significant impact on teaching, learning, and creative inquiry.
Edutopia summarizes how game-based learning can impact the classroom.
The Horizon Report 2011 identified game-based learning as an emerging technology to have a significant impact on teaching, learning, and creative inquiry.
Edutopia summarizes how game-based learning can impact the classroom.