The Effect of Inquiry Learning on the Academic Achievement and Bilingual Verbal Cognition of Young Bilingual Students

Authors

Cheryl Bowen (McElvain), Santa Clara UniversityFollow
Heidi A. Smith

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

8-1-2012

Publisher

Hawaii International Conference on Education

Abstract

The issues that prompt this study are based on current research indicating the positive effects of inquiry learning on the cognitive development of children. The purpose of this case study was to understand the effects of inquiry learning on the academic achievement and bilingual verbal cognition of 5^th grade bilingual students in a French/English dual immersion program. The treatment group of students completed research projects through a guided inquiry learning approach, while the control group experienced the traditional problem-solving research approach. Empirical findings reported a significant mean increase in mathematics achievement, bilingual verbal cognitive ability, higher motivation to learn and increased self-efficacy in the treatment versus the control group of students.

Comments

2012 Hawaii International Conference on Education.

Recommended Citation

McElvain, C. & Smith, H. (2012). The effect of inquiry learning on the cognitive academic language proficiency skills of 5th grade bilingual students. Paper contributed to the Hawaii University International Conference on Education, Honolulu, Hawaii.