Effectiveness of differing types of research report for middle school sciences...?

Question

I am a student teacher in a middle school science classroom. I pride myself on being a progressive teacher, and I try to use a lot of project and imagination based learning, rather than the traditional 'test what is known and regurgitate the facts' type of science classroom. We have done projects ranging from writing creation myths (to explore ancient ideas of the Earth, and how it relates to the other heavenly bodies) to creating 'life' on other solar bodies (to discover the conditions that would exist on other planets/worlds).

I have had some students been resistent to these projects, and would much rather do traditional reports rather than have to use their imagination. What are some ideas as to which style is more effective, and any other advice I would appreciate.

Answer 1

Its good that you want to offer different types of research - not all students learn thru the old fashioned read and write approach.

Some of the students that are wanting the research papers may be thinking - it would be alot easier to cheat. (Look at how many students ask others to do their homework on this site). There also might be the kids that just do better reading and writing.

So why not add that to the project? Give them the project and have them write a report on it or give them a few choices - present an experiment, write and present a report, bring examples and a demonstration of a scientific theory.

Outline the criteria your looking for and let the students decide which one is best for them. (have them choose within two days of the assignment which one they want to do so they can't change their mind later).

Answer 2

I think you should give them choices because students (as a matter of fact we all do) have different learning styles (in the same way we, teachers, have different teaching styles). Those who like your approach (like me, for example) are most probably "intuitive"; those who prefer traditional projects are, most certainly, "sensorial".

Check the web ("Richard Felder"/ "Learning Styles"). It´s all there in black and white.