Inquiry+&+Research


 * Useful Websites:**

Internet Research Guide - A guide to internet legitimacy.

My Delicious Page - A link to my favorite links!


 * Three Minute Pause Reflections:**

Inquiry-based learning is learning that is student driven, not teacher driven. It is a method of teaching which attempts to stimulate individual student's curiosity via questions, academic freedom, and guidance. The students are to learn on their own free will, wrestle with their own problems, and find their own solutions. The teacher is there to act as a tour guide to knowledge, rather then a dispenser. It is my personal feeling that when learning is made individual, it is important, it holds weight, it means something. The more responsibility we place on the shoulders of those learning, the more weight they will be able to carry by themselves in the future. Our academic muscles need to be trained just as much as the muscles which hang from our bones. Yet, I of course wonder how we are to build a foundation of trust with our students - a foundation which will hold strong, and not break due to distraction, frustration, or youth.
 * 11/11/2010: **

After reading, Inquiry Based Learning 1, I further appreciate the idea that, "...the amount of student learning that occurs in a classroom is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of student involvement in the educational program (Cooper and Prescott 1989)." Specifically, I feel as of the sixth grade history curriculum employed by Malden, "Geography Alive," does a wonderful job of allowing this self directed learning process to take place. It not only stresses the importance of activating prior knowledge, but it also attempts to connect each lesson to the lives of the student's.

I also appreciated reading, Inquiry Based Learning 2 , as this piece was far more philosophically driven and really payed attention to the idea of self motivation. I believe it should not only be our goal to motivate students, but also our goal to motivate students to be self-motivated. External stimuli are not always reusable entities, whereas the fire we light within ourselves can always be stoked if needed.