Thefirst step of the ADI instructional model is the identification of the task by the instructor. In this step of the model, the
goal of the teacher is to introduce the major topic to be studied
and to initiate the investigation. Similar to other instructional
models, such as the Science Writing Heuristic
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or the 5E
Learning Cycle,
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this step is designed to capture students’
attention and interest. Teachers also need to make connections
between past and present learning experiences (i.e., what students already know and what they need tofind out) and to make
the goal of the upcoming activities explicit. To facilitate this goal,
we provide students with a handout that includes a brief
introduction to a problem to solve or task to complete and a
researchable question to answer. The handout also includes a list
of materials that can be used during the investigation and some
hints or suggestions to help the students get started on the
inquiry. (See the online Supporting Information,