| A 5-year research study was conducted on using the Learning Cycle and Inquiry Based Learning in the field of physics with 28 high school juniors. The objective of the research was to generally assess student success and response to the Learning Cycle and specifically assess students using one unit of instruction in that they enjoyed the instructional approach, learned the material as well if not better (than from traditional means), and demonstrated a proficiency of over 75% on tests and quizzes. The hypothesis was that the Learning Cycle would facilitate a greater learning and command of the concepts and make the subject matter more interesting, personal, and attainable to students. Qualitative data was analyzed, observed from the students' interest level of the subject matter, while quantitative data of student enrollment was collected, showing the increase at 56% over the course of the study. Additional quantitative data was collected from one group of 28 students in 2001 using test and quiz scores and a student survey that included a personal, written response. From the student written responses, 75% enjoyed using the Learning Cycle. 10% felt they adequately learned, while 32% felt they learned better with the Learning Cycle. From the survey, 66% had a favorable response to the Learning Cycle, while the rubric grading system that was used in the research measured the students' class average test scores at a competency level equivalent to 85%. This demonstrates that the Learning Cycle is an effective teaching tool, if not and does facilitate learning in an interesting way. |
