Inquiry Teaching and Learning Workshop

Champaign, IL, February 21, 2001: The Inquiry group hosted an all-day workshop on Inquiry Teaching and Learning, featuring the Inquiry Page. There were about 70 participants, representing grade levels from kindergarten through graduate school; organizations including schools, universities, museums, libraries, and research institutes; and subject areas including science, literacy, arts, social studies, mathematics, and technology. Thus, the workshop considered inquiry learning across grade levels, institutions, and disciplines.

The workshop began with an opening presentation by Chip Bruce. Cheryl Malone led a workshop on the use of online government information sources to support inquiry-based teaching. Christine Jenkins demonstrated an inquiry-based approach to reading stories as part of K-6 curriculum. During the lunch time, there were demonstrations and examples of student work including exhibits from Biology Student Workbench (Paul Lock), Odyssey Lego/Logo (Dean Grosshandler), Chickscope (Sue Herricks, Pat Brown, Georgette Moore), Illinois Science Teachers Association (Diane Dummit, Edee Wiziecki), Missouri Botanical Gardens, Diversity of Life (Bob Coulter), RiverWeb (Dave Curtis), and the National Council of Teachers of English (Kathy Egawa, Jerry Harste).

Throughout the remainder of the day, participants discussed their varied experiences related to inquiry-based teaching and learning. Kathy Ryan presented on theory and techniques for assessment of inquiry-based learning. Ann Bishop facilitated a discussion session in which workshop participants identified barriers and issues in the implementation of inquiry-based activities, and shared tips and successful approaches. Sharon Comstock led a discussion on making inquiry happen. Jenny Robins tied together the diverse threads with a discussion of collaboratories and how the Inquiry Page could become a focal point for a community of inquiry.

The workshop planning group was led by Jenny Robins, Juna Snow, and Edee Wiziecki. Financial and administrative support was provided by the North Central Regional Education Laboratory, The National Center for Supercomputing Applications, and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois.

See more information of the workshop