Synopses & Reviews
There is currently a rapidly growing interest in inquiry learning and an emerging consensus among researchers that, particularly when supported by technology, it can be a significant vehicle for developing higher order thinking skills. Inquiry learning methods also offer learners meaningful and productive approaches to the development of their knowledge of the world, yet such methods can present significant challenges for teachers and students.
Orchestrating Inquiry Learning addresses the key challenge of how to resource and support processes of inquiry learning within and beyond the classroom. It argues that technological support, when coupled with appropriate design of activities and management of the learning environment, can enable inquiry learning experiences that are engaging, authentic and personally relevant.
This edited collection of carefully integrated chapters brings together, for the first time; work on inquiry learning and orchestration of learning. Drawing upon a broad range of theoretical perspectives, this book examines:
- Orchestration of inquiry learning and instruction
- Trajectories of inquiry learning
- Designing for inquiry learning
- Scripting personal inquiry
- Collaborative and collective inquiry learning
- Assessment of inquiry learning
- Inquiry learning in formal and semi-formal educational contexts
Orchestrating Inquiry Learning is essential reading for all those concerned with understanding and promoting effective inquiry learning. The book is aimed at an international audience of researchers, post-graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in education, educational technology and psychology. It will also be of interest to educational practitioners and policy makers, including teachers, educational advisors, teacher-students and their trainers.
Synopsis
There is currently increased recognition amongst researchers that inquiry learning, particularly when supported by technology, can be a significant vehicle for fostering the development of higher order thinking skills - offering learners a meaningful and productive approach to the development of their knowledge of the world.
Science educationalists in particular have underscored the potential inherent in inquiry learning approaches, recognising that young people need to know how to a act like scientistsa (TM) to understand and contribute to the major scientific debates that are shaping our world. That said, inquiry learning presents a number of challenges for both teachers and students.
Orchestrating Personal Inquiry addresses the key challenge, of how to resource and support processes of inquiry learning within and beyond the classroom, arguing that technological support, when coupled with appropriate design of the activities and learning environment, can have a vital role to play in the orchestration of inquiry learning experiences that are engaging, authentic and personally relevant.
The book comprises an edited collection of separately authored but carefully integrated chapters, with chapter authors selected to ensure comprehensive coverage, international relevance, and optimal application to practice.
Orchestrating Personal Inquiry brings together, for the first time in book-format, work on inquiry learning and orchestration of learning. All authors are working at the cutting-edge of the field, and represent a wide range of disciplinary contexts (for example, human computer interaction, science learning, psychology and education). Their theoretical perspectives are diverse, yet complementary. A substantive editorial introductory chapter introduces and contextualise the key themes and issues being explored throughout the book.