Personal Connection….
Before starting this project my approach to research and inquiry was very linear. I would think of a question and find the answer. I hardly ever let my inquiries expand to where I had to go back and start researching again. I guess I was lazy. After working through this process, I now understand that inquiry is not linear. Inquiry is a crazy web that keeps evolving and changing as you go through the steps. No matter what model you use, you always have to go back and keep questioning, wondering, and researching. It makes me realize that you are never truly “done” with a project. There are so many different paths that inquiry can lead you to. I now have a better understand of how to teach my students how to discover answers and research. This process was so different from when I went to school and I am much more satisfied with my final product. There is something very satisfying about choosing how you are going to present the information. Many teachers may be weary of letting their students choose how to present their findings, but I think if the students are truly invested in the research, the product will be amazing and have meaning to them if they get to choose. My teachers never taught me how to venture through the inquiry process and I feel I was cheated. I am going to make sure that I do not cheat the students that I come in contact with.
2 comments:
Isn't it funny how questions/projects lead to more questions to explore and projects to complete?
I think you're feeling what most of us are feeling---relief!
Great project. I've enjoyed reading your reflections.
Sherry
I feel I was cheated in my elementary and high school education also. Most of my research was linear and I can't even remember most of what I researched. I think I would have enjoyed completing concept maps and viewing research as a recursive process.
Margo
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