Teacher-Librarian Supported Inquiry-Based Learning Prepared by Jo-Anne Gibson Acadia Junior High

What is Inquiry? Inquiry is the PROCESS of asking a question or a series of questions and seeking information to satisfy the questioner’s needs.

What is Inquiry-Based Learning? Inquiry-based learning involves learners in choosing among alternatives, wondering, predicting, experimenting, asking questions, gathering more information, observing, making connections, learning in-depth, considering other perspectives, reflecting and taking new action based on what has been learned.

How are curriculum outcomes met in inquiry-based learning? Curriculum outcomes are met by investigating curriculum content based on students’ real lives, needs, interests, experiences and curiosities. “I have no special gift. I am only passionately curious.” Albert Einstein

What is an inquiry-based lesson? Involvement that leads to understanding Structured process of figuring “it” out Student-centered Powered by a question or problem that has many perspectives

What inquiry-based learning is not A student “free-for-all” where students make all the decisions Cut-and-paste answers Passive Teacher as expert Product-orientated Using the computer for research

How can teacher-librarians help? With their extensive knowledge of inquiry-based learning, resources, technology, lesson planning and assessment practices, teacher-librarians can collaborate with teachers to develop authentic and engaging assignments that require students to think, synthesize information and demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. As a knowledgeable facilitator, teacher-librarians stay with the class or group of students throughout the process and work with the classroom teacher to support and assess student learning. Teacher-librarians can provide “mini lessons” on various information literacy or technology-related topics throughout the inquiry process.

What is the inquiry process? The inquiry process is a spiraling continuum that teaches students of all ages the process of asking essential questions, finding, interpreting and sharing information, and reflecting on their learning. The stages include: Planning and questioning Gathering and making sense Producing to show understanding Communicating and sharing findings Evaluating learning Reflecting on the process

Inquiry Model Focus on Inquiry, p. 17

Plan and Question What will I study? What will my question be? Identify a topic area for inquiry What will I study? What will my question be? Identify possible information sources What kinds of resources will I use? Where will I find the information? Identify audience and presentation format Who will see my finished product? How will I present my information? Establish evaluation criteria How will I know if I’ve done a good job? Outline a plan for inquiry Where should I start? What is my timeline for completion?

Gather and Make Sense Find and gather the resources I need Develop an information retrieval plan Where will I find my information? How do I plan to take the information from my sources? How will I keep track and show my sources? Locate and collect resources Find and gather the resources I need Only choose resources I understand Select relevant information Find and gather the information I need in my resources Evaluate information Is this the information I need? Do I believe this information to be accurate, reliable, balanced, current? Review and revise the plan for inquiry Can I still do as I planned?

Produce to Show Understanding Make connections and inferences Does this information help me answer my question? How do I turn it into an answer? Organize information Put together my answer to the question Create a product Can I create what I had planned to create? How do I create this? Put it together Think about the audience How will they understand best? How do I get my point across? Revise and edit Is this the best it can be? Have I followed the evaluation criteria? What could be improved? Make any changes that need to be made

Communicate (Share) Communicate with the audience How will I explain so that everyone will understand? Practice my best presentation skills Present new understandings Teach others what I learned Make sure it’s interesting Demonstrate appropriate audience behaviour Listen to others when it’s their turn Participate appropriately in their presentations

Evaluate Evaluate the product Did my product answer my question? Did people understand and learn from it? Was my product the best it could be? Why or why not? Evaluate the process and plan Did I follow the steps properly? Did I follow through on my plan? Why or why not? Transfer learning to new situations How can I use this learning in “real” life beyond the classroom? Do I want to investigate my question further?

Reflect How do I feel at this stage? Reflect before inquiry How do I feel at this stage? How do I feel about starting this project? What will be easy? What might be difficult? Reflect during inquiry What were my successes? What were my difficulties? What do I want to keep doing the same way? What can I do differently? Reflect after inquiry What went well? What will I do the same way next time? What can I do differently next time? What did I learn about myself? What did I learn about the inquiry process?

Why bother with inquiry? When students ask questions that are important to them, motivation and a sense of ownership of the learning process occurs In this age of information, no one can know it all so it’s the process of learning that becomes vital Our world needs creative individuals who can “think outside the box” Knowing how to find and interpret information empowers students and allows them to participate in the world around them Collaborating with others is an essential skill for the 21st century

Can the inquiry model be used in all subjects? Yes, but it shouldn’t be used all the time. Inquiry-based learning should complement other teaching and learning styles in the classroom With your teacher-librarian, set aside a specific time of day or periods to work on inquiry Students need time to process information and skills so spacing over several weeks is important

It’s about seeking appropriate resolutions to questions and issues. Inquiry is not so much about seeking the “right” answer.

References Alberta Education. (2004). Focus on inquiry: A teacher’s guide to implementing inquiry-based learning. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Education. Retrieved Aug. 27, 2010 from http://education.alberta.ca/media/313361/focusoninquiry.pdf