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Day 3: Enhancing the Problem Solving Process with Technology
LEARNING GOALS |
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How can we challenge students to ask important questions, seek relevant answers, reflect on their own progress, and make up their own minds?
| Online Research Modules | Examples of Inquiry Projects |
Essential Questions |
Critical Evaluation Strategies |
Online Inquiry Supports |
What is an Online Research Module? An online research module structures students activities and supports learners through a series of steps woven into a research cycle. "The Research Cycle provides the steps needed to plan and conduct meaningful research while also emphasizing information problem-solving skills needed for success with the Internet and other information resources during each stage."
Jamie Mackenzie outlines the essential elements of online research modules is his article Making the Net Work for Schools: Online Research Modules:
- They require students to make answers instead of finding answers.
- They involve students in elements of "engaged learning" such as being responsible for their own learning, energized by the question or the task, and acting strategically as part of a team.
- They focus on a single essential question which involves problem-solving or decision-making.
- They include assessment as part of the process, not just as the product.
- They follow the phases of The Research Cycle (Mackenzie, 1995; Mackenzie, 2000)
- For more information,
- The Research Cycle 2000
- What is inquiry?
- ** Filling the Toolbox: Strategies to Engender Student Questioning
- Collaborative Approaches to Learning
Explore the Three Levels of Research ModulesBefore evaluating three different student research experiences, let's briefly explore the structure and expectations of an online research module together.
- Level A: Single Visit Research Challenge
- Level B: Challenges Requiring 2-3 Visits
- Level C: Week Long Research Experiences (projects built upon The Research Cycle)
It should include the following components in this sequence:
Questioning:
What new insight is required? What problem needs solving? What data and insight are required to shed light on this essential question? What are the smaller questions?
Planning:
Develop information seeking strategies to find reliable, balanced views, possibly employing technology for efficiency
Gathering:
Compile and save good information of many types for later use.
Sorting:
Systematic scanning, sorting, sifting of information which contributes to a deeper understanding
Synthesizing:
Pull together relevant information while finding patterns that provide insight about the essential question
Evaluating:
What more is needed? Reflect and repeat the cycle if necessary.
Reporting:
Communicate insight about essential question in an original manner.
Several repetitions of this research process will eventually lead to increased student insight. Like the webquest, the ultimate goal is to remove the "training wheels" support and have students internalize an effective and efficient research process.
Investigate the three research experiences below while using your handout to make note of your observations with regards to the following issues:
- What is the essential question?
- How is the research cycle represented?
- How and when are project expectations communicated to students?
- How does the project design support student location of relevant and appropriate websites?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the project's format?
- AFTER: Which format is the most realistic for you and your students at this time and why?
- Welcome to Ancient Greece: Would you rather be Athenian, Spartan or Corinthian? Why would you choose to live in this city-state? Two-tiered inquiry project for differentiated instruction
- Sea to Ski: It's Not Just A Race: How to geography and resources affect the choices people make in Washington and the Pacific Rim region? (notice Teacher Tips)
- Supreme Court Decisions: (second one down...*** see your handouts for a copy!) Review and analyze 3-4 court cases on a topic of interest - history, constitutional question, decision, reasoning for decision, effects of each case.
Other Examples of Research Modules
to Explore
| Title |
Essential Question / Big
Idea |
Student Product |
| Save
the Penguins
(Grade 3) |
Which is the biggest
threat to the survival of penguins and what alternative solutions might
you have? |
Rank the threats to penguins,
report on current efforts to solve and suggest an alternative solution. |
| Cave
Creator |
Is it possible to
build a new cave system and safely turn it into a commercial site for
tourists? |
Develop a brochure from the perspective
of a geologist or a travel agent that will hook your particular audience |
| Moving:
World Geography |
In which country would
you have the brightest future? |
Choose between a formal written
composition, a PowerPoint presentation, a panel discussion, or an oral
presentation with visuals |
| Cloning:
Scientific Breakthrough |
What is the best form
of cloning? |
Present a convincing argument
for the cloning procedure you favor, explaining the advantages of your
choice and the disadvantage of the processes you did not choose. |
| Fractals |
Are you prepared to
win a summer internship with MegaGraphics? |
Present essential information
about fractals to a selection committee from MegaGraphics |
| Land Biomes |
What is the possible
ecological impact of removing a specific organism from a certain
biome? |
Team: Design a graphic organizer
that demonstrates how the components of the bimoe are independent. Individual:
Create a presentation |
| Where Do
You Stand? |
Where do you stand on a certain contraversial issue?
|
Write a
persuasive speech to convince others to stand with you. |
| A Clash
of Cultures: Apartheid |
What is
the role of tradition in an established culture? |
Present
a historically accurate skit which conveys how the traditions and prejudices
of that culture have influenced the actions and decisions of its people. |
| Humanitarian of the Century
|
Who would you nominate as "The
Humanitarian of the Century"? |
Make your presentation to the
International Organization for Human Rights |
