The impact of argument driven inquiry on student understanding of concepts being reinforced during science laboratory activities

Abstract

This action based research project focused on Argument Driven Inquiry as a means to improve student learning during science laboratory investigations. The goal of the research was to determine if using argumentation, as part of the laboratory experience, would help students use their data to explain what was happening in the investigation. After students presented an oral argument in class and listened to other arguments, each individual wrote a conclusion to the laboratory investigation. The objective was to use argumentation as a means to help students gain a better understanding of the concepts covered by the laboratory investigation.