Predict, Observe, Explain

POE

Purpose

POE’s have a structure that encourages students to make predictions around something they are observing, that gets the students thinking about the topic that they are making a prediction for and by challenging them to examine events that surprise them. 
What springs to mind when you think about managing expectations when teaching? Do you think it’s about you explaining to students what you expect from them? I’m sure you’ll agree that managing expectations is also about what students can expect from you.

Predict

What will happen when the situation changes

Observe

Make careful observations about what happens

Explain

Compare observations with predictions. Develop an explanation of what is happening.

Learning Context

The POE activity, developed by White and Gunstone (1992), allows the student to think critically with the greater focus in their observations of the phenomena that were being presented to them. This will allow them to develop critical thinking skills which is widely recognized as an important, even essential, skill in this day and age

(Abrami et al., 2008).

Getting it done

Step 1: Predict

  • Ask the students to independently submit their prediction via a canvas ungraded survey question 01 of what will happen.
  • Ask them to predict what will happen and why will it happen.

Step 2: Observe

  • Carry out the demonstration.
  • Allow students time to focus on observation.
  • Ask students to submit their observation via a canvas ungraded survey question 02.

Step 3: Explain

  • Ask students to submit their explanation via a canvas ungraded survey question 03.
  • After students have submitted their explanations, discuss their ideas together.

How to set up POE activity with Canvas Ungraded Survey

Instructions

  1. Login to your Canvas course
  2. Select Quizzes from the menu
  3. Click +Quiz 

    Figure 1

  4. On the Details tab name the survey and provide some preamble to the student
  5. Ensure you select Ungraded survey as the quiz type

    Figure 2

  6. Select the Questions tab
  7. Click +New question

    Figure 3

  8. Select the Essay question type
  9. Type the question stem: “Predict what will happen….”
  10. Change the pts value to zero (0)
  11. Click Update question
  12. Click +New question
  13. Type the question stem: “Observe what has happened …”
  14. Change the pts value to zero (0)
  15. Click Update question
  16. Click +New question
  17. Type the question stem: “Did your observation match your prediction? Think about why your prediction was correct, or incorrect …”
  18. Change the pts value to zero (0)
  19. Click Update question
  20. Click Save 

    Figure 4

  21. Navigate to the Modules page
  22. Click Add item on the module where you will be adding the POE Activity

    Figure 5

  23. Select Quiz from the Add list
  24. Select the POE Activity
  25. Click Add item

    Figure 6

  26. Publish the quiz

Results of the survey can be found by navigating to the quiz area of your course and selecting the ungraded POE Activity. Click the three dot icon and select Show student survey results to view the student feedback.

References

  • Predict–Observe–Explain Tasks to Probe Understanding Link
  • Predict-Observe-Explain Learning Design Link
  • Abrami, P., Bernard, R., Borokhovski, E., Wade, A., Surkes, M., Tamim, R. and Zhang, D. (2008). Instructional Interventions Affecting Critical Thinking Skills and Dispositions: A Stage 1 Meta-Analysis.
  • Kearney, M., Treagust, D., Yeo, S. and Zadnik, M. (2001). Student and Teacher Perceptions of the Use of Multimedia Supported Predict–Observe–Explain Tasks to Probe Understanding. 31st ed. [ebook] Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp.589-593. Available at: Link [Accessed 29 Aug. 2018].

Downloadable Resources

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