#6 Reforms based teaching in the science classroom

It has been getting more and more difficult to find good articles on my topic. I have tried many variations of phrasing in my google searches, but still have trouble. I am hoping I can find enough to write 2 more blogs.
This article is about a group of pre service teachers in an science methods class learning about the inquiry-based teaching approach. Sound familiar? :) Find the link here

In the study they use a framework called EIMA to support inquiry-based instruction. EIMA stands for engage students, investigate, create models, and apply what you have learned. It seems so simple! This model will really help me write the lesson that we will have to teach in our practicum soon. Up to this point, I have struggled with where to start writing a lesson, and this gives me a basic framework of what should happen in an inquiry based lesson
 This article adresses the struggles pre service teachers have because they have to learn such a complex topic which they have not experienced in one semester. This is definitely how I feel as well! The authors evaluated student teachers lesson plans, assessments, and classroom artifacts to determine their use of reforms based teaching. They also interviewed student teachers, did self-reports, pre/post tests, and talked with peers. The authors want the student teachers to use and adapt the EIMA framework so it works for them. The results of the study showed that most of the class used inquiry based lessons, and had made improvements from the beginning of the study. The authors include some feedback from students that shows their way of thinking has changed. At the end of the article, the authors says that while it is hard to change students way of thinking and pedagogical beliefs, it is critical to practicing inquiry/ reform based science teaching.
I would recommend that everyone, as pre service teachers ourselves, read this article. Most of us do not like change, and have only known one way of instruction. It is important for our future students, and ourselves as teachers, to be open to new ideas and try to implement them.