Inquiry is the act of attaining information for the purpose of understanding and creating knowledge of the natural world.
Inquiry. What do I inquire about? Is it simple asking questions?
So when I go to the store and ask, “Do you have this shirt in blue?”
Does that provide a concrete example of an inquirer?
According to dictionary.com, it is! (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inquiry)
But what is it really. My working definition suggests that inquiry is an act with greater purpose. It is a journey where you seek to understand and create. In essence, inquiry is an attempt to make the world a better place, even if it may just be for you.
Hmm, so now I am in the process of making an inquiry about a WebQuest. What is a webquest!
http://curriculumwebs.com/iqwebquest/onepage/index.htm#top
IQ Webquest
http://www.uni.edu/schneidj/webquests/CauseswwII/introduction.html
Causes of World War II Webquest
http://www.lifestreamcenter.net/DrB/Lessons/WW2/index.htm
World War II: In Defense of Freedom
Oh, look, three just appeared!
Let’s figure out if they are good WebQuests based on our “working definition “ of an inquiry. And let’s make a tool to help us do that. I know, I’ll see if I can order a Rubric...
Poof. A Rubric. (a table can not appear)
The Rubric evaluates the IQ (Inquiry Quotient) of a WebQuest based upon the different steps in the process of a Webquest (Introduction, Task, Processes, Resources, Evaluation, Conclusion) and the appearance of the WebQuest. The ratings a Webquest can receive is either Good, Bad or Ugly depending on the amount of characteristics the Webquest exhibits.
The quest begins on rating the IQ: Measuring the Inquiry Quotient of Webquests Webquest assigned in TIE 542. The introduction of IQ is good. It clearly states that the purpose of the activity is to determine the value of a Webquest as a teaching tool. IQ gets high marks in every category except for appearance. The accessibility of the page is good, but the design of the page is quite bland. There is a simple plain text and hyperlink design that screams early nineties.
The content is strong enough to make it GOOD, but it’s design may put you to sleep. Overall, the rich resource section and the detailed task section make the page quite accessible.
The other two webquests, both dealing with World War II are quite interesting. In comparison the to the IQ Webquest, these two assignments are less intensive but not by much. Both webquests pose questions relating to the events of WWII and the effects it has on the world. Causes of World War II has a more quality inquiry as it challenges students to seek knowledge to their own story. They are asked to find the root of the problem/conflict in WWII while Defense of Freedom has a specific scope on the Four Freedoms propaganda campaign launched by the American government during the war.
Both WWII Webquests get good ratings, yet are rated slightly higher with two 18s opposed to the 16 IQ received. They received these marks because of the use of graphics integration into the site.
Overall, inquiry is seeking truth. The inquiry quotient defines the depth of that truth. Ultimately, the IQ falls back on the inquirer. It goes as far as the inquirer decides to take the journey.
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ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your definition of inquiry, such that "inquiry is an act with greater purpose". I think that the great challenge for us as educators is to help mold and shape that purpose and then to allow our students to arrive at their own understanding. It's a difficult challenge, but one that a true educator is capable of doing.
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