Gather and Organize Information |
Interpret and Analyze |
Evaluate and Draw Conclusions |
Gather and Organize Information is another step in the inquiry process. While this is often thought of as ‘doing research’, it could be through hands-on exploration, or through conversations with primary sources. According to the curriculum, Students need to collect and organize relevant date, evidence, and/or information from primary and secondary sources and/or field studies.
Implications in the Classroom:
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This element in the inquiry process is the ability to interpret and analyze. According to the curriculum, students need to ‘analyze the data, evidence, and information, using different types of graphic organizers as appropriate.’ (pg 23). This means that students can use their findings to determine important information, and consider different patterns, trends or interrelationships. Inquiry is a little like a critical thinking framework: students need to ask questions, gather information, analyze sources and information, synthesize their findings and then communicate their thinking.
Implications in the Classroom:
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Evaluating and Drawing Conclusions is the fourth element in the inquiry process. This is when students synthesize data, evidence, and/or information, and make informed, critical judgements based on that data, evidence and/or information. Much like the reading strategy, synthesizing, this is the part of the inquiry process where students combine their new thinking with their existing knowledge to make judgements and draw conclusions.
Implications in the Classroom:
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Sites to Explore:
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Website Evaluation Guides:
According to Cornell University, the five criteria for evaluating web pages are:
Accuracy
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage
According to the University of Maryland the criteria are:
Authority and Accuracy
Purpose and Content
Currency
Design, Orientation, Ease of Use
I asked my students to ensure that the resources were:
Relevant
Reliable
Accurate
Current
Accuracy
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage
According to the University of Maryland the criteria are:
Authority and Accuracy
Purpose and Content
Currency
Design, Orientation, Ease of Use
I asked my students to ensure that the resources were:
Relevant
Reliable
Accurate
Current