How to Use the Internet to Promote Inquiry Based Learning
Use the Internet to promote inquiry based learning in students or children to learn how to problem solve and develop critical thinking. Invigorate learning in students through developing research habits that encourages increase in knowledge. Inquiry based learning dates back to Socrates in the time period of 469 to 399 B.C.E., according to Professor Maureen Yoder, Ed.D., in which Socrates promoted his pupils to ask questions and develop thinking skills through finding the answers.
Instructions
-
-
1
Develop a main question. Ask questions that have multiple parts to the answer. An example is: "How does...?" or "What should be the 8th wonder of the world and why?" Asking just "yes" or "no" questions, according to Professor Yoder, does not provide enough to search and develop an answer to research the subject. Questions that explain processes and involve critical thinking are the questions most likely to promote inquiry based learning through the Internet.
-
2
Prepare five to six factually-based questions. These questions include background questions around the subject or main question. Provide the basis for the Internet learning experience to help the learner know how to research information for all future projects. Pinpoint facts that the student should focus on in the search with the fact based questions. An example is: "What is..." or "When did...," depending on the subject. These questions help the learner provide a basis for the topic as a whole using the additional information.
-
-
3
Understand keyword research. Keywords are the basis of search using the major search engines, and a new Internet user may not understand how this works. Have the student write down a list of possible keywords to locate the information. Ready the learner for the search by thinking of different ways to describe the subject through about 15 keywords.
-
4
Start the search on the Internet. Use the main search engines, including Google and Yahoo!, and others if needed to find the answers to the list of questions. Have the learner look for credible websites that include .edu or .org in the URL address. Blogs and .com addresses have information to use if the sources are credible.
-
5
Analyze the information. The learner has to ask whether the information is related to the list of questions for factually-based research and the main question. Check the source of the information and their credentials. Read the bio to see what background the person has in relation to the information. Cross reference, according to David Jakes, to determine the accuracy of the information.
-
6
Answer the questions. Use the information gained through the questions asked and keywords used to have the student answer the questions on the list.
-
7
Apply the information. Use the answers to produce a creative work to display the results. Have students write a paper, create a mobile, produce a video, or make a model. Use creative and critical thinking skills to produce the inquiry based answer to the research from the Internet.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Have the students select a topic and come up with the questions.
Develop rules for testing the information for credibility ahead of time to give students a guideline.
Approve topics before letting kids start on an internet quest for information.
Walk the room to ensure they are not going onto inappropriate websites.
