1. Take some time to think about your topic. Now write down what you know about it.
#1
Inquiry based learning is a topic that I have heard about for a number of years, thought I knew what it was, but am realising how little I know about it both theoretically and practically. Up until now, I seem to have used a highly teacher directed approach where for research I have provided students with a topic, questions about the topic, and some sort of a criteria sheet. I am really keen to learn how to foster a true inquiry based project and enable learners to reach the ultimate inquiry level.
#2
I feel I know much more now about inquiry based learning. However, I think it is a case of the more you know, perhaps the more you realise there is to know! Theory wise, I feel comfortable. How to apply this theory in a meaningful way, and in a practical way so that your learners reap the benefits there are to gain from IBL still seems a mystery to me. Having now gone through a guided inquiry process as lead by Mandy, I can see how students can form their own questions about a topic, and how tricky it can be to narrow those questions down the a set of relevant questions that will help them formulate meaningful information. It seems easy to get lost in the plethora of information available and lose sight of where you want to be going. I'm sure, with experience the process will become more productive and become the rich learning experience it can be.
#2
I feel I know much more now about inquiry based learning. However, I think it is a case of the more you know, perhaps the more you realise there is to know! Theory wise, I feel comfortable. How to apply this theory in a meaningful way, and in a practical way so that your learners reap the benefits there are to gain from IBL still seems a mystery to me. Having now gone through a guided inquiry process as lead by Mandy, I can see how students can form their own questions about a topic, and how tricky it can be to narrow those questions down the a set of relevant questions that will help them formulate meaningful information. It seems easy to get lost in the plethora of information available and lose sight of where you want to be going. I'm sure, with experience the process will become more productive and become the rich learning experience it can be.
#3
The main thing I now have taken away from this research is that inquiry is a pedagogy. For students to be able to effectively be involved in an inquiry process, they need to be immersed in it. The arts of questioning, synthesizing, hypothesizing etc need to be continually modelled and experienced. Having the ability to ask the right and relevant questions can make or break the inquiry process. Without this, then research goes no further than gathering and reproducing information.
2. How interested are you in this topic? Circle the answer that best matches your interest.
#1 Not at all not much quite a bit a great deal
#2 Not at all not much quite a bit a great deal
#3 Not at all not much quite a bit a great deal
#2 Not at all not much quite a bit a great deal
#3 Not at all not much quite a bit a great deal
3. How much do you know about this topic? Circle the answer that best matches how much you know.
#1 Nothing not much quite a bit a great deal
#2 Nothing not much quite a bit a great deal
#3 Nothing not much quite a bit a great deal
#2 Nothing not much quite a bit a great deal
#3 Nothing not much quite a bit a great deal
4. When you do research, what do you generally find easy to do? Please list as many things as you like.
#1
* find answers to specific questions
* find answers to specific questions
* find resources
#2
* ditto #1
* I really enjoy reading about the topic.
* I enjoy searching for the information and get quite excited when I have found what I am looking for, particularly when it is a part of my job and someone has asked me to help them find something (must be the librarian in me!)
* I also enjoy the things you come across 'accidentally'. Although this can be non-productive at times, it can also be the way you find a 'gem'!
#2
* ditto #1
* I really enjoy reading about the topic.
* I enjoy searching for the information and get quite excited when I have found what I am looking for, particularly when it is a part of my job and someone has asked me to help them find something (must be the librarian in me!)
#3
Thinking back on your research project, what did you find easiest to do? Please list as many things as you like. * ditto #1 and #2
* I enjoy making connections with what I am researching and life- whether it be in my role as a teacher librarian, my role as a parent, or just being me.* I also enjoy the things you come across 'accidentally'. Although this can be non-productive at times, it can also be the way you find a 'gem'!
5. When you do research, what do you generally find difficult to do? Please list as many things as you like.
#1
* synthesize information coherently
* synthesize information coherently
* effectively use referencing to support information presented
#2
* I still find it difficult to synthesize information coherently, especially when I am not sure if the 'answers' I have come up with are OK.
* Comparing and contrasting the different theories on a topic is challenging for me, as I don't feel confident in my ability to do this effectively, mainly because the information is never-ending and I don't feel I have enough authority!
* Whilst I love presenting information I have found, I find the scholarly writing a challenge. Conversation style, I am better at! However, I know it is all part of the learning process. Thank goodness in this case, for peer feedback!
#3
#2
* I still find it difficult to synthesize information coherently, especially when I am not sure if the 'answers' I have come up with are OK.
* Comparing and contrasting the different theories on a topic is challenging for me, as I don't feel confident in my ability to do this effectively, mainly because the information is never-ending and I don't feel I have enough authority!
* Whilst I love presenting information I have found, I find the scholarly writing a challenge. Conversation style, I am better at! However, I know it is all part of the learning process. Thank goodness in this case, for peer feedback!
#3
Thinking back on your research project, what did you find most difficult to do? Please list as many things as you like. I found it difficult to be confident that I have located, used and presented the information I have found appropriately for the context within which I am working.
#3
6. What did you learn in doing this research project? Please list as many things as you like.
As well as everything I have mentioned above, something I have learned is how important it is to be very clear about the task. At first, I wasn't sure what it was I was trying to find out. Once this became clearer, it wasn't so hard to find the resources I needed. At first I thought I was trying to find resources to support the learning activity. Later it became evident that it was supposed to be information about inquiry. Once again, I am taken back to McKenzie and the importance of clear, essential questioning.
