Tim+Inquiry+Learning

**//__Inquiry-Based learning__//** is the process of a student developing his or her interest to something in society. In this learning environment, the student takes part in a progression that will allow them to further investigate this topic of interest. It requires them to acquire knowledge by **thinking critically and asking questions**, **investigate** the best route to gain more information, **create new knowledge as new information is gathered** **and discuss as well as reflect** on these new discoveries or experiences with classmates. In order for inquiry to be successful, students need to have a desire to further explore something in society.

**Maybe to shorten the definition, you can keep the bold statements and combine into one sentence.

|| Task requires gathering information. The students are given a task that requires only lower level thinking to come to a solution (ie. fill in the blanks, matching). || Students are given a task that requires some higher level thinking (ie, analyzing and synthesizing information) but still contains some tasks that require only lower level thinking (ie, memorization as a proof of comprehension). || Analyzing and synthesizing information) but still contains some tasks that require only lower level thinking (ie, memorization as a proof of comprehension). Task requires synthesis of information and application to real-life situation. Students solve problems using critical thinking and higher level thinking (ie, making observations, considering evidence, using reasoning skills, etc.) ||  || || Task requires students to further develop their specific questions and investigate information from multiple primary and secondary sources. (i.e. identifying your topic and the appropriate sources to answer your question.(ie clear question and using the appropriate sources to answer it. Sources may include teachers, parents, grandparents, internet, books, and magazines) || Task requires the full understanding of the specific question and the information from your sources and then taking a stand on the question and applying it to a situation in society. (ie. preparing questions for a teacher/parent/friend and then formulating an opinion of your own and defending it with evidence from your sources) ||  ||
 * || ** Not Evident **
 * 1 ** || ** Partial **
 * 2 ** || ** Exemplary **
 * 3 ** || ** Score ** ||
 * Students solve curiosity problems by using critical and higher level thinking.
 * **Students solve problems through asking questions about their findings.** || Task requires students to identify topics for further research. (ie students will pick a topic from their higher level thinking and further research it.) || Task requires students to formulate a specific question that will lead them to the appropriate research tools. (ie students will come up with a thesis statement and identify two research tools that they will use.) || Task requires students to formulate multiple questions and identify multiple primary and secondary research tools that they will use for further investigation. (ie students will formulate multiple questions about their topic and identify the sources that will answer them.) ||  ||
 * Students Solve Problems through Investigation || Task requires students to put their question into action by investigating possible channels to answer the question. (i.e. indentifying your topic and the best sources to find the information.)
 * Students solve problems by Creating new knowledge || Task requires students to take their acquired knowledge and understand it. (i.e. taking their new found knowledge understanding it has a place in their lives.) || Task requires students to comprehend their new knowledge and apply it to a situation in society. (ie students will take their acquired knowledge and apply it to something in the world.) || Task requires students to further understand their newly acquired knowledge and apply it to a situation in society and in their lives. (ie students will connect this knowledge to something in the world and in their own lives.) ||  ||
 * Students solve tasks by Discussing acquired information with classmates || Task requires students to discuss their new knowledge with classmates. (ie students will talk about their acquired knowledge with classmates.) || Task requires students to make a connection with another students newly acquired knowledge. (i.e. students will connect their new acquired knowledge with another students new knowledge.) || Task requires students to comprehend other student’s new knowledge and make multiple connections with it to society and their own lives and reflect on what they learned. (i.e. students will make connections to their lives and society with the new knowledge of their classmates and look back at what they learned.) ||  ||