Professional paper

SECRET LIFE OF FROGS - INQUIRY LEARNING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

Dubravka Čerba orcid.org/0000-0003-2563-8695 ; Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Ivana Turković Čakalić ; Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Matej Šag ; Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Irella Bogut ; Faculty of Education, Department of Natural Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

In science subjects, inquiry learning insures the development of skills and competences which enable students to better understand natural occurrences and processes that surround them. Scientific approach in education encourages curiosity and develops inquisitive spirit in students of different age. During attendance of school biology subjects, students should learn about anatomy, ecology and development process of different vertebrates and frogs could be a model organism for studying amphibians which go through metamorphosis during their life cycle and have different adaptations characteristic for each life stage and living conditions. Inquiry learning facilitates understanding of complicated processes during metamorphoses and allows the students to see and study in person the anatomical changes that occur. This type of learning enables students to think in the “scientific way” and ask “scientific” questions related to observed phenomenon and recorded values, as well as how to present gathered data (e.g. charts), observations and conclusions. Students also develop the ability to create argument discussions about their results and conclusions. Inquiry learning can correlate and integrate cognition of different school subjects and thus contribute to the development of students’ conceptual way thinking and reasoning.

Keywords

scientific approach; inquiry learning; aquarium rearing; life cycle; metamorphosis

Hrčak ID:

171172

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/171172

Publication date:

22.12.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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