Well, it's been two weeks and we are now finishing up our finding information phase of the exhibition. During this time the students worked with their teachers and their mentors to create questions, lines of inquiry, and action plans to help focus and guide their investigations and research. The students have been using the Internet and books from the library to find lots of information! In addition, the students learned the difference between primary and secondary resources, how to write survey questions and how to conduct interviews to find and collect more information on their topic. Whew! We are tired!
One of the best parts of this phase of the exhibition was how excitedly and responsibly the students have been using technology to find out about technology! We started using Edmodo to share information and resources across the classes for students who were investigating similar lines of inquiry. It's been a great resource and one that the student have really seemed to enjoy. In addition, the students learned how to create online surveys with Google Docs and collect the information with mobile technology such as iPods, iPads and iPhones. Lastly, we've even had some students start their own blogs as a way to share what they are learning and create QR codes to encourage students in the school to visit their blog and take their online surveys! The ways and uses of technology have been amazing!
All of the hard work has paid off as the students are now moving into the next phase of the inquiry cycle which is using information. Over the course of the next week the students will be reviewing their information, sources and data and organising it all to come up with some general conclusions. From these conclusions the groups of students will be thinking about what they learned and what they want to take action on as a result of their findings. It's really going to get exciting now!
So, what has been the best part of this phase of our learning? Edmodo and the other uses of mobile technology? Finding information from interviews, surveys and websites? Balancing primary and secondary resources?
I look forward to hearing what you think!
Miss Jessica
