Inquiry Through Digital Literacies

Annotations:

• Many consider inquiry and research to be mysterious and specialized endeavors. Inquiry and research can simply be put as the process of producing convincing answers to interesting questions.  It is important to engage students and have them think and research information.

1. Inquiry is a special feature of instruction.

   Annotations:

   • Many models of teaching involve inquiry. 
   1. Professional literature

      Annotations:

      • Professional literature typically groups inquiry with educational concepts such as problem solving, project-based learning, research projects, and experiential learning. 
   2. Digital literacies

      Annotations:

      • Refer to the knowledge and skills associated with the information and communication technologies of the 21st century. Today classes use video, web sites, pod casts, powerpoints and more to teach topics. 
   3. Student Inquiry

      Annotations:

      • This occurs during instructional units. Students discover questions that come with the focus topic.  Once students begin conducting inquiries they take the lead in learning and become engaged in the topic. 
2. Asking engaging researchable questions.

   Annotations:

   • Asking engaging and researchable questions leads to effective inquiries. 
   1. Introducing Inquiry

      Annotations:

      • Introducing inquiry by engaging students attention and peaking their curiosity is  a great was to start units.  
   2. Launching upper-grade inquires

      Annotations:

      • When doing this you might need to spend time showing videos, articles, and examples having students recall memorable ones. 
   3. WH Poster

      Annotations:

      • WH Poster Questions a topic presented a sheet of chart paper or whiteboard or powerpoint. The presentation is on who, what, when, where and why.  Its a great tool to get students inquiring in depth about a topic.
   4. Self-assessing Questions

      Annotations:

      • Post a set of criteria to help upper level student assess their questions.  They can also be assessed in groups. 
3. Locate source and information with sources
   1. Key Words

      Annotations:

      • Key words encompass many concepts.  Use a variety of sources for identifying these. Key Word Scavenger Hunt is a good way to have students practice.
   2. Online Resources

      Annotations:

      • The web offers more opportunities for students to access, synthesize and communicate subject matter while conducting inquiries.
   3. Web Quests

      Annotations:

      • Teachers or media specialists bookmark some or all of the information from online sites for students to access. It helps guide the students to scholarly research and stay clear of the un-useful sites on the web. 
   4. Critical thinking

      Annotations:

      • When your students locate pertinent content they need to determine its credibility before letting it influence their thinking. 
   5. Interviews

      Annotations:

      • Conducting oral interviews combine all of the senses to help students maximize learning.  If the interview is personal students especially remember it. 
4. Synthesize information
   1. Producing Notes

      Annotations:

      • Using a whiteboard is a good way to introduce notes. Teaching them how to pick out key points and summarize info is important.
   2. Categorizing Information

      Annotations:

      • When categorizing information having your students break stuff up into categories is a great way to teach them important things to research.
   3. Citing Information

      Annotations:

      • It is VERY important to teach students how to properly cite material and why. 
5. Represent what is being learned.
   1. Multimedia Representations

      Annotations:

      • Images, text, sounds, and motion are examples of multimedia representations. Students select the media that fits their purpose for reporting their inquiry's findings. 
   2. Multigenre Representations

      Annotations:

      • Consist of self-contained pieces that merge into a valid whole. They are snapshots of a topic taken from different vantage points. 
   3. Writing

      Annotations:

      • Students typically require support transferring information from their inquiries into written form. 
   4. Speaking

      Annotations:

      • Students giving oral reports transfer information given to them off of cue cards and powerpoints.  Oral presentations work best in a group setting where one person is designated one topic to discuss in depth. 
6. Teaching independent inquiry
   1. Avoiding Plagiarism

      Annotations:

      • Again,  It is VERY important to teach students how to properly cite material and why. 
   2. Assessment

      Annotations:

      • Assessment is important so students can know how they are progressing along in a class. Be clear with comments on assessments. Assessments also gives value to doing assignments. 
   3. Journal Writing

      Annotations:

      • Make opportunities for students to share their thoughts and reactions.  Journals are a great was as well as group talks, pair talks, individual talks and class discussions.