Charlene

Hi Everyone, Here is some info that I found on Inquiry

Inquiry is a method in which problems, controversial issues and discrepant events of interest are investigated and students individually or in groups arrive at conclusions, generalizations, or the recognition that further evidednce or data is necessary. May be guided or unguided. It allows students individually or in groups to arrive at conclusions, generalizations or the recognition that further evidence or data is necessary. This is accomplished through the use of teacher and or student questioning, data gathering, information collecting, developing and testing hypotheses.
 * __Defintion__**

__**Procedure/Process/ for Inquiry**__ -learning objectives relate to a manageable, meaningful, or relevant problem, issue or event. -Information to deal with the situation must be accessible. Clarified and Understood. -student research information/gather data which is examined and classified -students are encouraged to formulate possible answers or hypotheses (educated guesses) -students test hypotheses by assembling, classifying, arranging, translating and interpreting the evidence. -studenst question assumptions and implications of hypothesis as creativity, imagination and insight are brought to case. -purpose is to bring closure to problem/issue by finding meaningful patterns and relationships. The hypotheses can be validated, modified, or discarded which allows students to draw conclusion -Conclusion may result in generalization that has predictive value and in time can be tested against new evidence.

__**Benefits of Inquiry**__ -stimulates thinking and problem solving skills and encourages creativity. -cooperation, communication and group process can be emphasized -can be used in all areas -can be used at all ages but more effective with older students -students use their own ideas, questions and judgements

__**Limiting Factors**__ -planning involves prepartation of appropriate problem situations, materials or data -may be time consuming -not appropriate method for teaching skills or step-by-step procesess. -the process focuses on problem-solving but not necessarily on finding solutions or "right" answers

//__**“It is in the answers to the questions we ask that our knowledge exists.” (Aristotle)**__// Our goal is to create global, lifelong learners who are **“inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective”** (IBO). We recognise the definition of a contributor to society as a learner who can **“apply [his/her] knowledge to [his/her] experiences beyond school” and “contribute to local, national and global society”.** We recognise that curriculum **“develops students as critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators”.**
 * __Quotes supporting Inquiry__**
 * //"Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand."//**
 * Why Inquiry Learning?**