Strategies and tools for success in inquiry-based online collaborative learning environments

There is a general consensus among researchers, scholars, and policymakers in science education that students learn best when they experience inquiry in the science classroom. While the National Research Council’s (NRC) Five Essential Features of Classroom Inquiry framework guides many studies on science teaching within in-person classroom settings, more work is needed on the implementation of these features within a virtual environment. Thus, guided by the Five Essential Features of Classroom Inquiry, this chapter provides a set of guidelines and strategies for implementing meaningful inquiry within online science classroom settings. In this chapter, we discuss various strategies for implementing scientific inquiry in an online elementary classroom and highlight how these features can guide meaningful online science learning. We further discuss tips and strategies that elementary teachers can use to maximize learning and meaningful engagement. This chapter aims to answer the following question: How can science teachers engage elementary students in online inquiry-based learning environments that improve their understanding of science and scientific knowledge?