Predict Observe Explain (POE)

Most examples of how Predict, Observe, Explain (POE) activities can be used to heighten student interest and understanding come from science and involve classroom demonstrations given by the teacher. However, the pattern of predicting, observing, and explaining incorporates the fundamental processes associated with all discovery learning. As such, the POE strategy is equally effective across all disciplines and can be performed by students in small learning groups.

In addition to the obvious POE elements, teachers who add this method to their teaching repertoire are providing students with opportunities to activate prior knowledge, build on the understanding of others, gather and interpret data, compare predictions with actual outcomes, and draw evidence-based conclusions. POE can also serve as an engagement activity to generate interest in a topic and be used to reveal student misconceptions.

Implementation

1. Be sure to rehearse the demo ahead of time.

2. Make sure that all materials and equipment are available and easy to access.

3. Copy the Student Discovery Guides provided below.

4. Discrepant Events (Discrepant Event WebLinks) provide highly engaging contexts for POE activities.

Classroom Management

1. The procedure for implementing a POE strategy is straightforward.

2. Review the Student Discovery Guide (below) to clarify the nature of the task and your expectations for students.

3. Be sure that students understand that they need to write responses in the Discovery Guide.

4. Urge students to focus carefully on the task.

5. Be sure to allow ample time for students to record their observations and explanations.

6. Have students review and discuss their findings with others in their groups.

7. Suggested Formative Assessment

• See the “How do I Know what I Know?” self-assessment. This process uses tightly focused questions to determine a student’s level of understanding about key ideas or concepts. Data generated by this activity can be used to identify areas where additional review of content may be necessary.