| "An Information Age school has a different look and feel than a traditional school. Classroom methods link information retrieval, analysis, and application with strategies such as cooperative learning, guided inquiry, and thematic teaching. ... Most important, the most probing questions come from the learners, who are curious about a variety of issues and intent on communicating what they discover." (Hancock, V. (1997). Creating the Information Age School. Educational Leadership. 55(3), November, 1997. 60-63)
What is a 'NetSplore™ guided inquiry activity? What kinds of assignments can be considered guided inquiry activities? How can we create 'NetSplore™ guided inquiry activities that challenge our students to engage themselves in worthwhile learning experiences? It is our hope that your exploration of/from this 'NetSplore™ Activity Page will help you refine your understanding of - what 'NetSplore™ guided inquiry activities are,
- why they are important, and
- how they can be constructed.
I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand
~ Chinese Proverb ~ We invite you to join us in this guided inquiry activity on three levels—foundational, explorational, and empowerment. - Part 1: Activity: Complete readings.
Purpose: to develop a sense of what’s out there (foundation level).
Process: Read on the web. - Part 2: Activity: Create and evaluate a 'NetSplore™ activity on a topic of your choice.
Purpose: to experiment with variations on the format, internalizing and evaluating the medium (exploration and empowerment levels).
Process: Create and evaluate a 'NetSplore™ activity by using the 'NetSplore™ activity page authoring tool. - Part 3: Activity: Test your 'NetSplore™ activity with groups of students.
Purpose: to follow through and formalize understanding of this process by carrying it out within a real classroom setting, and to provide your students with the opportunity to interact with resources and each other in new ways. (empowerment level).
Process: Involve students in work shaped through interactions designed and presented on the 'NetSplore™ activity page.
Timeline
Part 1: Readings – individual work, about 2 hours.
Part 2:- Create a 'NetSplore™ guided inquiry activity – work either as an individual, with a partner, or in a small group.
- Evaluate a 'NetSplore™ guided inquiry activity – continue to work with your partner or group, evaluating the guided inquiry activity created by another group.
Part 3: Test a guided inquiry activity by involving your students in this innovative activity – as determined in your 'NetSplore™ activity page. |
