INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
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Role of Technology in Inquiry-Based Learning (Page 1)
The integration of technology with inquiry-based learning can increase student interest and motivation, provide access to a vast amount of diverse information, and aid students in organizing the information. It can also help in creating authentic learning tasks for students and for students to acquire higher order thinking skills as well as needed 21st century skills. “Technology alone, of course, does not produce learning; technology is a tool that can be used in many ways to various effects” (Boethel and Dimock, 1999, p.16) Teachers, with the use of technology, can have access to inquiry-based information and resources as well, like the website I have created.
As a fourth grade teacher, I find that my students are eager to engage in any activity involving the computer. They are excited when given the opportunity to use it. So, just the greater incorporation of the computer can help to create an interest, an excitement, and a desire by my students to participate in the learning process. “Infusing dynamic, real-world contexts into classroom learning will invigorate teacher and student engagement” (21st Century Skills, n.d., p. 5).
Through the use of the
WebQuest model, higher-level thinking skills
can be developed and authentic learning tasks can be created. This
model was developed in 1995 by Bernie Dodge with Tom March. Bernie
Dodge (1997b) stated, “A WebQuest is any inquiry-oriented activity in
which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the
WebQuest.”
Marzano (as
cited in Dodge, 1997a) noted the various thinking skills that a WebQuest
activity might involve, such as: comparing, inducing, deducing,
analyzing errors, constructing support, abstraction, and analyzing
perspectives.
Resources:
Boethel, M., & Dimock, K. (1999). Constructing knowledge with technology. Retrieved June 17, 2006, from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec27/constructing.pdf
Dodge, B. (1997a). Some thoughts about WebQuests. Retrieved July 5, 2005, from http://webquest.sdsu.edu/about_webquests.html
Dodge, B. (1997b). The WebQuest page. Retrieved July 5, 2005, from http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/Professional.html
Getting America’s Students Ready for the 21st Century: Meeting the Technology Literacy Challenge
Kidspiration Software http://kidspiration.com/productinfo/kidspiration/index.cfm
Learning for the 21st Century: A Report and Mile Guide for 21st Century Skills
Owens, R.F., Hester, J.L. & Teale, W.H. (2002). Where do you want to go today? Inquiry-based learning and technology integration. The Reading Teacher, 55(7), 616-625. Retrieved July 3, 2006, from Wilson SelectPlus database.
Shaw, E., Bagget, P., & Sayler, B. (2004). Kidspiration for inquiry-centered activities. Science Activities, 4(1), 3-8. Retrieved July 15, 2005, from Wilson SelectPlus database.
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