Student
Inquiry in the Research Process
Suggested Readings:
· Callison, Daniel. “Key Words in Instruction: Inquiry,” School Library Media Activities Monthly, Volume XV, Number 6 (February 1999): 38-42.
· Pappas, Marjorie. “Evaluating the Inquiry Process,” School Library Media Activities Monthly, Volume XIV, Number 8 (April 1998): 24-26.
· Pappas, Marjorie L. “Managing the Inquiry Learning Environment,” School Library Media Activities Monthly, Volume XVI, Number 7 (March 2000): 27-30, 36.
A Planning Guide for Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (ALA/AASL 1999) defines Inquiry as “The process of formulating appropriate research questions, organizing the search for data, analyzing and evaluating the data found, and communicating the results in a coherent presentation.”
It is the process by which students learn to:
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Formulate appropriate research questions
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Organize search data
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Analyze and evaluate the data found
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Communicate the results in a coherent fashion
HOW DOES RESEARCH INQUIRY IT FIT INTO MY CURRICULUM & LESSONS?
Inquiry is a part of everyone’s curriculum! It’s not something more to add to your already overloaded curriculum, but a way in which you impart that curriculum. Your curriculum should initiate the inquiry and should be a base for inquiry research. The greatest thing about the suggestions that we are offering here is that you can take all of the suggestions for adapting your lessons or only a few of them at a time – you can use our templates or use them to help create your own – however you do it, allowing your students to use the inquiry process will create better researchers with the ability to adapt the process they learn into real life situations.
WHY IS INQUIRY RESEARCH IMPORTANT?
Developing the inquiry process in students is what takes a student from report writer to researcher. It helps students become independent thinkers and lifelong learners through meaningful learning strategies:
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Critical thinking
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Creative thinking
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Problem solving
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Effective communication
WHO CAN USE INQUIRY IN THEIR LESSONS & CURRICULUM?
Taking a look at the National Standards and Goals, inquiry is imbedded in the national standards for all major disciplines. With modifications for student’s cognitive ability level, it is an effective technique for the inquisitive from early elementary students through adulthood.
WHEN DO I USE INQUIRY RESEARCH?
What is really wonderful about the inquiry process is that you use the same process for student research throughout the year, so once you develop a unit you can easily make modifications for what works into future units.
THIS SEEMS COMPLICATED!
I DON’T THINK MY STUDENTS COULD DO IT.
Yes, they can! And you can help them! Just take baby steps…keep it simple at first. Introduce different components of inquiry research to your students throughout the year. Follow the same procedure, guidelines, and organization procedures every time. Build from what they know and what you’ve taught them until, by the end of the year, you and your students are ready for every stage of the inquiry process laid out here.
References:
· Brazee, Ed, “Collaborating on Curriculum: Why it Matters, How it Works,” Middle Ground (August 2000): 33-37.
· Callison, Daniel. “Key Words in Instruction: Inquiry,” School Library Media Activities Monthly, Volume XVI, Number 3 (November 1999): 38-39, 42, 45.
· Callison, Daniel. “School Library Media Programs & Free Inquiry Learning.” School Library Journal February 1986: 20-24.
· Carey, James O. “Library Skills, Information Skills, and Information Literacy: Implications for Teaching and Learning.” School Library Media Quarterly. May 30, 2001. <http://www.ala.org/SLMQ/skills.html>
· Gordon, Carol. “Students as Authentic Researchers: A New Prescription for the High School Research Assignment.” School Library Media R, Volume 2, 1999. May 30, 2001. <http://www.ala.org/aasl/SLMR/vol2/authentic.html>
· Holland, Holly, “Reaching All Learners: You’ve Got to Know Them To Show Them,” Middle Ground (April 2000): 10-13.
· Kuhlthau, Carol C. “Implementing a Process Approach to Information Literacy: A Study Identifying Indicators of Success in Library Media Programs.” School Library Media Quarterly, Volume 22, Number 1, Fall 1993. June 6, 2001. <http://www.ala.org/aasl/SLMR/slmr_resources/select_kuhlthau1.html>.
· Loertscher, David V. Taxonomies of the School Library Media Program, 2nd Edition. San Jose, California: Hi Willow Research & Publishing, 2000.
· A Planning Guide for Information Power Building Partnerships for Learning: with School Library Media Program Assessment Rubric for the 21st Century. Chicago: American Library Association, 1999.
· Wolcott, Linda Lachance. “Understanding How Teachers Plan: Strategies for Successful Instructional Partnerships.” School Library Media Quarterly, Volume 22, Number 3, Spring 1994. June 5, 2001. <http://www.ala.org/aasl/SLMR/slmr_resources/select_wolcott.html>.
· Zemelman, Steven and Harvey Daniels and Arthur Hyde. “Best Practice: New Standards for Teaching and Learning in America’s Schools.” Portsmouth, NH: Heineman, 1998.
