The 7E instructional model is a learning cycle designed to promote deeper understanding and correct misconceptions through exploration and student-led explanations, facilitated by the teacher. The 7Es represent seven distinct phases: Elicit, Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate, and Extend.
Here's a breakdown of each phase:
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Elicit: This initial phase aims to uncover students' pre-existing knowledge and beliefs about the topic. It helps teachers understand what students already know and identify any misconceptions that need to be addressed. This is often achieved through brainstorming, questioning, or quick pre-assessments.
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Engage: The purpose of this phase is to capture students' attention and pique their interest in the upcoming topic. Activities in this phase should be stimulating and relevant to students' lives, motivating them to learn more. Examples include demonstrations, thought-provoking questions, or intriguing scenarios.
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Explore: Students actively investigate the topic through hands-on activities and investigations. This phase provides opportunities for them to gather data, make observations, and develop their own understanding. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding students' exploration and providing resources.
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Explain: Students articulate their understanding of the concepts they explored. The teacher provides formal definitions, explanations, and scientific vocabulary to clarify and solidify students' learning. This phase also allows students to share their findings and discuss their ideas with peers.
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Elaborate: Students apply their knowledge to new situations and problems. This phase deepens their understanding and helps them transfer their learning to different contexts. Activities could include problem-solving tasks, design projects, or real-world applications of the concepts.
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Evaluate: Ongoing assessment of student learning takes place throughout the entire 7E cycle, but this phase focuses specifically on evaluating students' understanding of the concepts. Assessment methods can include formal tests, quizzes, projects, presentations, or informal observations. The goal is to determine whether students have achieved the learning objectives.
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Extend: This final phase encourages students to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Students can research related topics, investigate real-world applications, or design their own projects. This phase promotes lifelong learning and helps students see the relevance of what they have learned.
In summary, the 7E model provides a structured framework for creating engaging and effective learning experiences that promote deeper understanding and retention of knowledge.
