A web-based collaboration environment for k-12 math and science teachers

Student performance in middle school math and science is in a perilous state. This crisis is reflected in results on key national assessments such as NAEP that indicate that less than one-third of students in the 8th grade perform at a proficient or higher level in math or science. To address this issue, an innovative Instructional Model, the 4E x 2 Model, was recently proposed by us to improve the achievement of students via rigorous and authentic inquiry-based learning experiences. This Model aims to help K-12 teachers facilitate learning that includes explicitly addressing formative assessment, inquiry instruction, and reflective practice at each step of the pedagogical process. This paper focuses on the design and implementation of a Web-based community to provide collaborative support for the 4E x 2 Model. This Web-based community includes a set of on-line tools that allow math and science teachers to create, refine, and disseminate their inquiry-based lesson plans.