 Welcome
to Inquiry-based Learning and Technology.
This course is for teachers who want to learn more about how to use
technology in their teaching, for those that teach the teachers and
support them as technology specialists, for library/media educators
that are faced with an accelerated growth of new information every
day and educational leaders who wish to guide their faculty and staff
into becoming competent users of 21st century literacy and tools.
Inquiry is what adds the spark to learning, and with the use of
technology and communication networks, ignites students' interest,
information retention, and higher order thinking skills.
As a K-12 educator, I made the leap from a scripted
structure to an inquiry-based one in the 1980's teaching middle school
students and using technology. It changed my life in that I
looked forward to going to class everyday to learn about the progress
students' were making in their products and actually guiding them
instead of dictating to
them. It also changed many of their lives and additutes towards
learning.
I have tried to create this course in an inquiry-based
fashion by breaking it down into three stages or modules.
In Module I you will explore what inquiry learning really
looks like in a classroom and the research and results that demonstrate
how it engages students in learning-centered activities and higher
order thinking.
In Module II you will explore a venue of Internet-based
projects from the perspective of a student and as a professional to
determine the quality
of different genres of inquiry-based projects.
<>In Module III you, with reiterative feedback from your peer
group and professor, create your own inquiry-based project. Your
selection is based upon your needs, technology skills, goals and
audience.
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Module
I
Module II
Module III
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Table of Contents on WebCT.
We will build an online community
and you will get to know the people with whom you are working. You
will depend on them, share information with them and learn from
eachother. Some of you will even become friends.
To make this seem more like a face to face class, each week
there is a new lesson and each lesson has an inquiry-based structure.
- Each lesson has an introduction
that sets the context for each inquiry. This is where I get to be
"information expert" and "lecture". Sometimes this will relate to
a personal or professional experience, sometimes to an educational
theory, and sometimes to research findings, and often to all.
- In exploration
you can explore different websites that contain information to help you
answer the questions that lead to the solution of the problem. Green Website
should be seen by all. Yellow Websites are optional and Orange
Sites are
just additional resources and not required at all.
- This is followed by a discussion with a group of your
peers where you will offer and receive feedback on your ideas formed
from the integration of the readings and exploration of websites. You
will be working in groups for discussions and activities with your
peers.
- Each lesson also contains a construction piece where you
develop a solution that demonstrates your understanding of
the important concepts. Some projects are short and span one lesson,
some are more complex and span several lessons. Some are done on your
own, some with your group and sometimes are ideas just things to think
about.
- The reflection
section allows you to discuss what you learned and consider other
questions to ask. It is also the place to reflect about
the lesson and your own performance. Reflections may be directed
just to me or shared with the class.
- Resources are
for further exploration and support of inquiry-based learning.
Here's
some feedback from the class of fall 05.
“I
feel I am really engaged with this course. The readings are wonderful
and I am beginning to share my understandings with my faculty (and
anyone else who will listen!) Your lessons are exceptionally well
written and thoughtful; allowing me to reflect on my beliefs, values
and leadership. “
“The assignments have been very useful and they are things I can
and will use.”
“I'm really enjoying this class and getting a lot out of it. I
was able to use what I've learned in supporting our tech committee
budget proposal to the school board this week. Perfect
timing! The online discussion is working well for me and my needs
now. I enjoy the convenience and the opportunity to engage in
dialogue with a diverse group of
people. This is my second online course and I'm impressed...it's
very organized and meaningful.”
“I guess the only other comment I might have is there have been so many
things I would like to go back and explore some things, will they still
be available later in the course or can they be compiled for future
use? -YES!
One year of access is available.
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