Peer based webinars to scaffold inquiry based narratives and eTools

This study sets out to tackle some of the challenges that science teachers face in adapting to an Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) approach in their teaching. The purpose of this action research inquiry was to encourage teachers to take part in peer based online webinars in order to learn how to incorporate inquiry based learning (IBL) using narratives and etools in their teaching. The research emerged from a concern at the lack of interest of students in Ireland to continue Science at Senior Level. The series of webinars took place between February and April 2014 with a pilot group of post-primary teachers in Ireland. The research was conducted in the context of the EU Inspiring Science Education (ISE) project which aims to provide digital resources and opportunities for teachers across Europe to help them make science education more attractive and relevant to students´ lives. The evidence drawn from the research shows, how Inspiring Science Education (ISE) narrative templates can scaffold science teachers as they compose narratives on the implementation of an IBL science lesson supported with etools. The webinars were successful in supporting peer learning among teachers.