Focus.......focus....Formulation!

"Through Guided Inquiry students come to a deeper knowledge of the subject and gain an understanding of their own inquiry process, as well as the basic skills and abilities to locate, evaluate, and use information for learning and presentation".
(Kuhlthau et al, 2007)

According to the Alberta Inquiry Model (Alberta Learning, 2004), in the Processing Phase, several skills and strategies will be employed. It is in this phase that the focus for my essay will be formulated.  I am  now feeling a little more optimistic and confident about formulating a direction for my context, having sifted through many websites, articles, books and journals to find pertinent information. I am finding that I am becoming more and more interested in this topic of Inquiry learning, as I  employ strategies from the models to start teaching my students.

This feeling of clarity is also in line with being in the Formulation stage of Kuhlthau's Information Search Process.
 The formulation stage is a time to form a focus for the research from the information on the general topic found in the variety of sources students are consulting. (Kuhlthau et al, 2007)
Through Kuhlthau's research into the Information Search Process, she found that higher order thinking is developed by carefully planned advice and assistance of the instructional team. In Guided Inquiry this is a zone of intervention when specific instruction and assistance is given to guide students to formulate their focus as a path for collecting information to complete their task.(Kuhlthau et al, 2007)
As I reflect on my Inquiry journey so far, I can see that this is so true of my learning.  By referring to the various models as I have undertaken this Information search process and started my inquiry, I have experienced the many feelings described and have been able to recognize the times when I have needed intervention. This help came in the form of accessing the online tutorials, again and again, taking part in the Elluminate sessions, and participating in the Ask a Dumb question forum. I have also emailed a few colleagues to ask their opinions.  By revisiting lectures, online video tutorials and sifting through copious amounts of knowledge, both new and old,  I have been able to formulate my focus for my context essay by collecting and refining the information needed .






References:


Albert Learning.  (2004). Focus  on inquiry: A teacher’s guide to implementing inquiry-based learning. Edmonton, AB: Author, Learning and Teaching Resources Branch.




Kuhlthau, Carol C. ; Maniotes, Leslie K. & Caspari, Ann K. (2007). Chapter 2: The Theory and Research Basis for Guided Inquiry in Kuhlthau, Carol C. ; Maniotes, Leslie K. & Caspari, Ann K, Guided inquiry : learning in the 21st century, Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, pp.13-28.