Enhancing Grade 5 Students’ Scientific Explanation by Using Inquiry-based Learning

Abstract

This research studied the ability to the scientific explanation of Grade 5 students using Inquiry-based Learning to the topic of Force. The research participants of this study which 28 students of a school under the Office of the Higher Education Commission in Chonburi province were purposively sampled for the study, The research had been conducted during the academic year of 2016. The data was collected before and after using the specifically designed Scientific Explanation Test.  The collected data was converted to rubric scores and record the frequencies based on the score range of the three indicators. The Teacher’s logs and Student’s reflect ideas were also gathered. The information was analysed by means of content analysis. The results showed the use of Inquiry-based Learning had assisted ability development to scientific explanation in all three indicators. After learning, students could create science explanations, science forecasting and considering to rationale for scientific explanation in science, students could consider a sensible data of the situation using scientific concepts to show the reasonableness correctly. The design of Inquiry-based Learning to the topic of Force that enhance students’ scientific explanation consisted of organizing activities used by teachers including discussion, questioning, group work, experimentation, and experimental design.