Chances are that you already use one of the STEM design processes in your classroom. The Scientific Method is a design process that is found in some form in every science classroom. Other, less frequently used design processes include Engineering Design and Technology Design. All of these methods are a great way to empower students to guide their own educational experience and engage in inquiry.
The tools provided by Tuva fit naturally with each of these processes and can be used to provide a jumping off point for investigation or a place to reflect and analyze results.
Tuva for Background Research
Each of the design processes requires students to begin by collecting and reflecting upon background information on the question or problem. This is commonly accomplished through reviewing published articles. What if, rather than providing students with a question and relevant articles, you provide them with a Tuva data set. Allow your students to manipulate an assigned data set in order to develop their own question or to gather background information as they would from an article. Selecting and assigning the data set allows you, as the teacher, to guide the design processes of your students in a way that meets your course standards. At the same time, it empowers students to express their curiosity.
Tuva for Analysis
The Tuva platform can make the analysis phase of these design processes easier to tackle. If students are collecting their own data, they can easily upload it and use Tuva’s tools to find patterns in their results.
Alternatively, you could pose a question to your students and have them develop the procedures for one of the design processes in a way that guides them towards a Tuva data set or a data set created by you. This approach allows you to pose questions that your classroom would not normally be able to investigate. You can discuss a complex question with your students, have the students complete the stages of the design process that are feasible for your classroom, and still be able to analyze results.