WISE

WISE: The Web-based Inquiry Science Environment

Resources: All about WISE Features of the learning environment Features for teachers WISE Quickstart Guide

A quick video explaining WISE: media type="youtube" key="1KfuH3fu7-Q" width="420" height="315"

Strengths:
 * Allows students to engage themselves in the process of inquiry.
 * Students get the chance to reflect not only on their learning but the process of their learning.
 * Is in line with most state standards in science.
 * There is an entire library of projects and they are supported by the National Science Foundation.
 * Helps students to reflect and refine their notions about science.
 * Students can be reviewed by peers in their science exploration and be offered specific feedback.
 * Teachers can individualize and customize projects to better suit all students.
 * Students are constantly reflecting on what they are doing.
 * It is an international program.

Weaknesses:
 * Students have to familiarize themselves with the program, it has a lot of elements to it.
 * It only includes science work.
 * Students are going to need somewhat of an idea of how to navigate and use a computer.
 * Some of the topics may be difficult for lower achieving students.
 * It is only available for students in middle and high school.
 * Only has computer-based simulations.

Opportunities:
 * Students can explore their own interests at their own pace, letting knowledge in.
 * Teachers can use this program as an assessment measure or as a way to perform progress monitoring.
 * Teachers can customize a particular lesson, or create one, and share with other teachers.
 * Projects can be done by students as an extension to their lessons, to synthesize their learning.
 * Students better understand the scientific process by testing hypotheses and conclusions made by fellow students.

Threats
 * Students might not offer beneficial feedback to their peers.
 * Teachers might choose to rely on using this without providing students with adequate science instruction.

Ideas for the classroom:
 * It would be best to add the link to the website that includes an extensive list on different projects that are in line with standards that have been created for the science inquiry learning environment:
 * Project library
 * A Teachers [[file:Bidwell_Final_IP.docx]]of a WISE project that was implemented in the classroom.