Two differently sequenced classroom scripts: PISG (Plenary–Individual–Small Group) and PSGI (Plenary–Small Group–Individual)

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

Both scripts begin with the teacher modeling each inquiry skill at the plenary level, then distribute activities across social levels in opposite orders. In this study, "students in the Plenary–Individual–Small Group (PISG) classroom script first worked individually before working in small groups, whereas students in the Plenary–Small Group–Individual (PSGI) condition first worked in small groups before working individually." Both sequences ran through a pre-field trip, field trip to the Botanical Gardens and post-field trip phase on plant adaptation, with inquiry task 1 consistently used for plenary teacher modeling. The scripts are used as macro-scripts that shape interaction patterns by sequencing tasks across plenary, individual and small group levels.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• Each phase began with plenary teacher modeling of the targeted inquiry skills before the script transition; the script sequence was strictly adhered to from pre- to post-field trip.

Constraints

• In the PSGI condition, two groups experienced dropouts in the post-field trip; implementation spanned seven lessons of approximately 45 minutes over 2–3 weeks.

Target Learners

• students in grades 6–9 in a collaborative science inquiry unit

Learning Goals

• inquiry processes of generating and evaluating evidence and drawing conclusions, supported by grounding and testing

Claims

• Pisg Psgi No Significant Grounding Testing Difference [+M]
• Pisg Individual Observations Off Target Then Improved [+M]

Related Designs

Examples

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Key Sources

• Esther Tan (2018). Effects of two differently sequenced classroom scripts on common ground in collaborative inquiry learning. Instructional Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-018-9460-6

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	pisg-psgi-classroom-script-sequences
title	Two differently sequenced classroom scripts: PISG (Plenary–Individual–Small Group) and PSGI (Plenary–Small Group–Individual)
description	Both scripts begin with the teacher modeling each inquiry skill at the plenary level, then distribute activities across social levels in opposite orders.
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-18
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — esther-tan-2018

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