POGIL: Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning

POGIL is an effective way to teach science.  I have used it intermittently with my Chemistry classes.  Some colleges use this approach to supplement lectures or replace lectures.  This approach can be effective for AP classes in high school.  I first encountered POGIL at an AP Chemistry workshop and have used several exercises successfully in college-bound chemistry classes.  This approach takes time-both to process the exercise, monitor it, and finally review the answers and material with students.  My Chemistry Co-op class has five students and allows sufficient time to work through exercises.  It pays to look at some Sample exercises, especially if you are using inquiry-based instruction with the 5-E Model.

Let's look at an example of how to fit POGIL into a chemistry lesson on Electron Configuration.  

1.  The first "E" is Engage. Color Flame Candles can serve as a demonstration to spark interest.

2.  Next is Explore.  Flinn Flame Test Lab combines standard flame test chemistry with electron emissions and spectra.
3.  In the Explain phase, Electron Energy and Light is a POGIL activity which guides students through emission spectra which helps them understand the lab they just finished, particularly the calculations.
4.  During the Elaborate stage, the teacher can give a lecture on quantum theory and introduce electron configurations.  The teacher may extend the topic with some historic background or assign a time-line.  Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table is referenced in ChemPath's preactivity for a POGIL exercise, Understand Electron Configurations, which has applets or flash video, too.
5.  The Evaluation can include a written lab report, electron configuration quiz, a time line of key events, or a multiple-choice test.

Hopefully, after this type of comprehensive lesson, the kids can explain the Color Flame Candles you used for the demonstration.  Now, I need to locate mine!