This is the title/topic of an inquiry-based unit where the objective is to evaluate statements and facts in order to gain a deeper understanding of what is written either in texts and/or on the Internet. "For example, we learn that "in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue" and that he discovered America. But what did he really discover and in what sense did he discover it?"
Students are to choose a commonplace statement from a list and then use the Internet to search for information on this topic to see what they can learn about why the statement may be in some way limited or incorrect. Students should continue searching in an effort to find facts they did no know prior to their search on the chosen topic. The point is for students to locate information that changes their view on a particular subject. Students are to use the following questions to guide them through the inquiry process as well as respond to each:
- What does the Web say about it? Does it contradict the statement?
- Does that change your beliefs?
- How do you know which is true? The original statement? The web page? Something else?
- What does this tell you about credibility of the Web? About credibility of other sources? About knowledge? About how we acquire knowledge?
source:
Inquiry Page - http://inquiry.illinois.edu/index.php
Inquiry Units - http://inquiry.illinois.edu/bin/unit_update.cgi?command=select&xmlfile=u10324.xml
I did not look at the webquest, but from your description it sounds like a solid webquest. I would be very interested to see what common phrases are true or where they came from. Just from the introduction I am engaged and want to find out more information. The inquiry aspect of the webquest can be expanded from there. Students are not just reading a website and filling in the blanks. They have to find out where the saying came from and the truth behind it, and how that changes what they thought about it prior to the exploration of the webquest.
ReplyDeleteI also really like that the students have to compare and think about the creditability of information they find online. This skill is very important today in a world where anyone can post things online.
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI really like your connection of typing inquiry to critical reading. I think the skills required to be a good "critical reader" and for that matter, a "critical thinker" are at the heart of what inquiry is all about. Students are faced with the continual challenge of taking in information and then decided what to do with it and that process is vital to what they learn. Our challenge in the classroom is to hold in tandem the "critical learner" and teaching the content at hand.