1. Take some time to think about your topic. Now write down what you know about it.
Inquiry based learning is a process in which students are involved in their learning. The students formulate questions, investigate using many different sources, and then construct new knowledge and understandings. Research suggests that inquiry based learning creates a more positive and independent learning environment. There are many models of Inquiry based Learning including the Alberta Focus Inquiry model, and Kuhlthau's Guided Inquiry model, which is grounded in constructivist theory. I know that right now as I complete this questionnaire, I am in the Presentation stage of Kuhlthau's Information Search Process. (Kuhlthau et al, 2007) having now
been through the Formulation and Collection stages, in which I gathered and prepared new information to support my topic and context. I have constructed and developed new knowledge for the purpose of my essay. In the Presentation stage, I feel that I am in the culmination of this part of the project, where I am preparing to share my learnings with others and get ready to give and receive feedback as part of the reflection process. On that note, I also know that engaging in Reflection is a crucial part of many inquiry models, including the two that I have investigated and based my inquiry on. In the Alberta model, Reflecting on the Process is an integral part of every stage of the model, and is revisited as part of the teaching and learning in this process. For instance, in this model, I am in the Creating Phase. Here, I organise the new information to create my context essay in a personal way. The feedback I will receive from my peers will provide an excellent avenue for the Reflecting on the Process component of this model.
I am aware of many different models of Information Literacy /Inquiry models including:
The Big 6: (Eisenberg & Berkowitz, 2000,) http://big6.com/
Inquiry based learning is a process in which students are involved in their learning. The students formulate questions, investigate using many different sources, and then construct new knowledge and understandings. Research suggests that inquiry based learning creates a more positive and independent learning environment. There are many models of Inquiry based Learning including the Alberta Focus Inquiry model, and Kuhlthau's Guided Inquiry model, which is grounded in constructivist theory. I know that right now as I complete this questionnaire, I am in the Presentation stage of Kuhlthau's Information Search Process. (Kuhlthau et al, 2007) having now
been through the Formulation and Collection stages, in which I gathered and prepared new information to support my topic and context. I have constructed and developed new knowledge for the purpose of my essay. In the Presentation stage, I feel that I am in the culmination of this part of the project, where I am preparing to share my learnings with others and get ready to give and receive feedback as part of the reflection process. On that note, I also know that engaging in Reflection is a crucial part of many inquiry models, including the two that I have investigated and based my inquiry on. In the Alberta model, Reflecting on the Process is an integral part of every stage of the model, and is revisited as part of the teaching and learning in this process. For instance, in this model, I am in the Creating Phase. Here, I organise the new information to create my context essay in a personal way. The feedback I will receive from my peers will provide an excellent avenue for the Reflecting on the Process component of this model.
I am aware of many different models of Information Literacy /Inquiry models including:
The Big 6: (Eisenberg & Berkowitz, 2000,) http://big6.com/
The Seven Pillars Model
Research Cycle (McKenzie)
The 8 Ws
just to name a few!
2. How interested are you in this topic?
A great deal: The more I learn the more I want to share with my colleagues and my students.
3. How much do you know about this topic?
3. How much do you know about this topic?
Quite a bit......definitely more than I did when I began this subject. Although I feel I have learnt and know a great deal more than I did at the beginning of this task..I feel like this process has made me realise that one inquiry leads to another and all towards lifelong learning..so in that scheme....not a great deal!
4. Thinking back on this research project what did you generally find easy to do?
I found it easy and enjoyable to interpret the inquiry models and find similarities and differences between them. Generally I found it easy to navigate the Blackboard information and interpret the information given in the tutorials in the context of my learning activity. I have particularly enjoyed the new searching strategies that I now employ and have shared with my teaching colleagues using the Boolean operators, and hence I have found searching a much easier task. Narrowing searches has become a bit of a pastime!!
I found it easy and enjoyable to interpret the inquiry models and find similarities and differences between them. Generally I found it easy to navigate the Blackboard information and interpret the information given in the tutorials in the context of my learning activity. I have particularly enjoyed the new searching strategies that I now employ and have shared with my teaching colleagues using the Boolean operators, and hence I have found searching a much easier task. Narrowing searches has become a bit of a pastime!!
5. Thinking back on this research project, what did you generally find difficult to do?
I still find it difficult to time manage and sort through all the information to find relevant articles, quotes and ideas for my project. I still get overwhelmed by the amount of new information I uncover and find the construction of this new knowledge difficult in that I don't know what to discard. I also found the first stages of the Information Searching Process quite challenging in which I felt vague, overwhelmed and uncertain about the amount of work ahead and the selection process to be undertaken. But as Kuhlthau reminded me "Uncertainty is the beginning of learning" (Kuhlthau et al, 2007) so, as I worked through the stages, and learnt new strategies, I did feel the uncertainty slip away and deeper understanding develop.
I still find it difficult to time manage and sort through all the information to find relevant articles, quotes and ideas for my project. I still get overwhelmed by the amount of new information I uncover and find the construction of this new knowledge difficult in that I don't know what to discard. I also found the first stages of the Information Searching Process quite challenging in which I felt vague, overwhelmed and uncertain about the amount of work ahead and the selection process to be undertaken. But as Kuhlthau reminded me "Uncertainty is the beginning of learning" (Kuhlthau et al, 2007) so, as I worked through the stages, and learnt new strategies, I did feel the uncertainty slip away and deeper understanding develop.
6. What did you learn in doing this research project?
I have learnt so many things over the past semester, I have decided to document in dot point below:
- the definitions of Inquiry Based Learning, Guided Inquiry, Information Literacy and the Information Search Process and the research that underpins these terms
- the many and differing models of Inquiry
- expert searching strategies using a variety of databases
- how to upload videos to my blog and to do screen captures and upload these too.
- narrow, broaden and conduct searches using Boolean Operators.
- how to locate, skim, refine and evaluate new information to construct new knowledge.
- about standards and continuua for Information Literacy skills
- how to give and receive constructive feedback to and from my peers in writing my draft context essay
- much about the context that underlies my Information Learning Activity as regards Inquiry and the learning and teaching process
- to navigate the Australian Curriculum site and use the filters appropriately and with purpose.
- that reflection is a very important part of the Inquiry model and necessary in every stage.
Reference:
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.
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