Inquiry+&+Research

Evaluating Web Pages

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__﻿Inquiry Based Learning - Three Minute Pause__
Inquiry Based Learning is about teachers having students problem solve and think critically by asking questions. The student is the center of learning. The teacher becomes more of a facilitator. The idea is to get students to take charge of their learning. The world is changing and the drill and grill method doesn't help students to solve problems in this global, technical world.

I think that this method works in some situations. The kids are presently doing this in their Model UN projects. They are interested because they are searching on their own and coming up with their own solutions to global problems. They still need a lot of guidance though. I read the book __Lies My Teacher Told Me__. This book was really critical of history textbooks. The author supported the idea of an inquiry based text, that would stir up interest and discussion about history and controversial events.

I don't understand how much IBL the authors think should be done in the classroom. The teacher has to impart some scaffolding before much else can be accomplished. I also wonder whether or not the authors think this worls better in a high school environment. Finally. I would like to know how we can assimilate this type of learning with our curriculum driven frameworks.

The required reading articles are pretty much the same as the ones I researched. I was surprised to read that teachers consume 70% of classroom time speaking. I really hope that I don't do that. I think on most days I try to shoot for about a 50-50 split. I do like the idea of investigating real world questions. The kids like that too. Most of the articles talk about using technology for IBL. I must sound like a broken record, but it is hard when my classroom doesn't even have functioning computers.