Effective Learning Tools
Based on numerous studies, the most effective learning tools for motivating students seems to be those that involve active, inquiry-based learning. Active learning helps students become and stay engaged in learning. Engaged learners are more likely to become interested in the subject they are learning. Students that are interested in what they are learning, value what they learn. When students value what they learn, they take ownership, or become in charge of, their learning. Ownership of one's learning increases self-satisfaction with oneself and might even instill a desire for lifelong learning.
Below, are suggestions that have been shown to increase student motivation and develop reading skills in the science classroom:
- Hold classroom debates. In science classes, debates can help students develop a better understanding of the scientific method and critical thinking skills, such as finding the main idea, distinguishing credible sources from non-credible sources, and evaluating evidence and claims (Proulx 2004)
- Encourage students to participate in the science fair. Science fair projects promote inquiry-based learnign through the investigation of problems using the scientific method. Additionally, many educators believe that students who participate in science fair projects "meet the educational goals of science as recommended in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Teachers Association (Wilson, Cordry, & Uline 2004).
- Have students write to a younger audience, explaining a science concept they are currently studying. Writing to a younger audience helps students and the teacher see what they do and do not understand about a topic. Additionally, it gives students a purpose for writing (Hohenshell, Hand, & Staker 2004).
- Conduct hands-on activities, such as laboratory and field investigations. Hands-on activites turn students into active learners, and active learners are engaged learners (Black 2004).
- Keep a class library with a variety of fiction and non-fiction trade books. Trade books can help students become interested in a topic and thus motivate them intrinsically through natural curiosity (Block 2004; Richardson & Morgan 2003, p. 65-66).
- Use a story-based strategy approach to introduce new technical material. Research has shown that students who read a narrative-style story that informally introduced technical terms prior to reading a technical passage, comprehended the technical passage better than students who only read a technical passage (Azencot & Blum 1985).
- Incorporate computer-based learning activities, such as multimedia programs, Internet-based research projects, online chats with scientific professionals, and electronic journals, into the classroom. Such activities can increase students' critical thinking skills, provide them ownership of their learning, help them apply previously learned concepts, and increase their overall interest in a subject (Lin, Cheng, Chang, & Hu 2002; Richardson & Morgan 2003, p. 75-79; Vogt).
- Incorporate the use of cooperative learning activities in the classroom. Cooperative activities, such as passage analyses, can encourage students to come up with their own questions and develop better organizational, comprehension, and social interactive skills (Richardson & Morgan 2003, p. 369-371). Additionally, such activities put students in charge of their learning which, according to research, makes them feel more confident that they will be successful in what they learn (Pintrich 2003).
- Model reading in the classroom. Show enthusiasm for science and reading by sharing your experiences and current books your reading with your class (Good & Brophy 2003, p. 238).
