Inquiry Based Learning Continued – Week 5

My understanding of inquiry based learning has grown over the last two weeks as I’ve learned more about how to support students in their use of process skills of inquiry as well as their abilities and understandings of the practice. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to take a closer look at many Web 2.0 tools and explore ways in which they support inquiry based learning and enhance discussions and student work. All of these have given me a better picture of what inquiry based learning looks like, and more importantly, how I can implement it effectively in my technology classes.

My decision making skills were tested when we explored facts vs. concepts. The discussions that I took part in opened my eyes to the various methods and reasons for categorizing statements as such. Similarly, I have a deeper understanding of inquiry and how investigable questions play a valuable role in a great inquiry based learning experience. I specifically appreciated the task of turning non-investigable questions into investigable questions as this will be valuable to me in planning my lessons. I actually found it to be easier to make that change than I would have expected. I recognize the importance of students actively engaging in methods for exploring and investigating questions to find answers.

This week my exploration of Web 2.0 tools was really fun. I was really glad that this task was a discussion topic because I learned so much from what my classmates shared. I learned new tools, new ways to use tools, and new ideas of how to implement them to enhance a lesson, not just use them for the sake of using them. I found it interesting to split the tools into presentation, video, mobile, and community tools. It made perfect sense, I just never thought of them in categories like that. This was my new “insight” for the week. It is helpful to consider them in categories because if a specific tool that I use is either no longer available or is no longer meeting my needs, I now have a list of other options to consider.

Over the last two weeks, I feel like I have learned more about the details of implementing successful inquiry based learning. I have a “big picture” in my mind now. I’m looking forward to putting together the final pieces as my class continues.