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An Investigation is a complex research project that provides learners with the opportunity to explore the world
around them in depth and in insightful ways. Working over a period of several days teams of students are presented with a BIG question or a problem to solve. Investigations are integrated
across subjects and involve multiple WWW Resources. More then one-technology tool is used to produce the project. I use Investigations as the focus of the unit that I am teaching. I
usually spend 2 weeks on developing concepts and skills and then move into 3 weeks for the Investigation.
Investigation Example
Washingtion State Symbols: Which One? - OFF SITE is an Investigation I use to introduce Investiations to teachers.
Investigation Steps:
Step 1:
Identify the Problem or Question and ask more Questions
Students are presented with a
problem or question that can not be easily solved. The intent here is to create a problem or question that will move students to the synthesis level. The key in creating a higher level
problem or question is to make sure that it requires that the students make a choice.
Step 2: Getting Organized
This is the getting organized
part. Teams work on selecting responsibilities, deciding who will do what job, and how they plan to work together. The team also decides what resources will be used and how the
information will be collected. Teams need to have some skills on what it means to work as a team. Teams develop questions that will guide the searching process.
Step 3: Gathering Information
Teams need to work on
gathering information that is relevant and that will help to answer the main questions or solve the problem. Collecting facts is a skill which needs to be taught. Teams need to work on
making sure everyone is participating and working as a team.
Step 4: Sorting and Analyzing Information
When teams think they have
collected enough information to answer their main questions, they will group and categorize the information they have collected. To help analyzing the information collected, teams need to
answer the following questions with an affirmative response.
Does the information we gathered help us answer the main question or solve the problem?
Do we have enough information or do
we need to gather more information?
Is there enough information to make a decision or to solve the problem?
At this point teams will look
more in depth at the information collected. Students or with the help of the teacher will use a list of criteria in the form of questions to help analyze the facts. Students will apply
the criteria to the facts that they have gathered. This helps students to narrow which pieces of information will be helpful in supporting their final answers or solutions.
Step
5:Creating the Answer or Solving the Problem
At this point the teams are
now ready to ask the following question, How can we use the ideas and information gathered to create a new answer or solution? How will that final product look? This is a creative time
but teams need to remember to base their answers and solutions on the information they have gathered and analyzed.
Step 6: Evaluation and Presentation of the Work
Teams will share what they
have created and evaluate how well they did on the project. Evaluation should be built into every step of the investigation process. Taking time at the end of the project to set goals for
a new project is important as students look towards how they can improve themselves on the following the research steps as well as team work.
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