The Investigative Science Learning Environment: A Guide for Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

The Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) approach is a teaching system in which students learn physics using processes that mirror scientific practice. As a sequel to "Investigative Science Learning Environment: When learning physics mirrors doing physics" (Etkina, Brookes, and Planinsic (2019)), this book systematically discusses how to use the ISLE approach to help teachers (prospective and present) develop productive habits of mind and practice that will allow them to prepare their students for success in the 21st century. The book contains theoretical explanations, practical suggestions, and exciting physics examples and problems that can be used in any physics teacher preparation program or a professional development workshop, whether the ISLE approach is adopted or not.

Key Features

• Discusses the practical implementation of the ISLE approach, a teaching system in which students learn physics using processes that mirror scientific practice.
• Shows how to use the ISLE approach in teacher preparation and professional development of in-service teachers.
• The ISLE approach develops epistemic knowledge and competencies such as experimental design, evaluation of multiple solutions and communication.
• Includes worked physics examples, case studies and interludes at the end of each chapter.
• Valuable for physics courses of any level (from middle school to graduate coursework).