Reflecting on What I Know: Chapter 5

How can I get my students to ask questions about the research they are conducting?

There are many methods outlined in chapter 5 of Lowther and Morrison's (2010) textbook helping future teachers understand how to get students to ask questions about the research they are conducting. These include think cycles, generative strategies, and think sheets (pages 125-126, 129, 131-132). Using these functions, students are able to focus in on what they are researching by coming up with questions such as what they already know, what they want to know, and then reflecting on what they learned during the research. These strategies help students stay focused and allows teachers to ask pointed, leading questions and provide an outline of what the students should be researching.

How can I teach my students to solve problems?

Helping students think critically and to solve their own problems is a big part of teaching. Teaching should not be based around providing students with the answers but equipping them to find their own answers. Using lesson plans to help students identify problems and then set them up in the lessons to find the answers using research could help students to learn this skill. Using skills like integration and organization will help students to focus in on their information and apply it to what they know and what they are researching now.

I’ve never used an inquiry-based approach, much less computers - so how is a teacher supposed to do both of these at one time?

Over time, these skills can be developed in a teacher and their classroom. No one who is new to technology will immediately figure it out, let alone how to integrate it into their teaching style and lesson plans. Through studying the technology and different lesson plans and strategies for incorporating it that are available for teachers to utilize will help teachers become familiar with how it works and how it can be applied into their lessons to help the students become critical researchers. Technology is a great tool to utilize to help students become better researchers and to help them solve problems, and it is one that teachers should try to take advantage of as much as possible.

Lowther, D. L., & Morrison, G. R. (2010). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st century. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.