Reading Review Part B- Literature Search and Data Collection

As I began searching for resources for inquiry based learning I came across many great sites.  After about only half an hour of searching, I had about 20 tabs opened with all types of resources for inquiry based learning.  It was quite overwhelming with all the different aspects of IBL.  When I did try to be more specific about my search then things became a little more difficult to find or I would find small bits of information on different sites and have to piece them together. 

I was not able to find very much about Adrienne Gear’s nonfiction books other than her own personal website which is very good and has a lot of information.  I found a few videos and lessons incorporating her strategies but not very many.  Another area I had difficulty finding resources for was the Points of Inquiry from the BCTLA.  The BCTLA website is great and has all the information needed to understand how to use the model but I was hoping to find some clear examples of how it was used in the classroom and the library.

I did search the UBC library for scholarly articles however for the purpose of my website I did not want to focus too much on this type of resource. My main focus was to find easy to use and practical sites that teachers will want to consult on a regular basis. I was also surprised at how little I found from BC.  I did however find many useful resources from Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

       

        Of all the resources I found so far, these four seem to be quite useful in explaining and/or providing concrete examples of how to implement IBL in the classroom and in the library.

1. Saskatchewan School Library Association- Inquiry

This website has a series of links and videos about inquiry based learning.  I particularly found the podcasts by Donna DesRoches and Carlene Walter very informative and found their wiki to be a good point of reference. 

2. Classroom Management and Inquiry Based Learning- Finding the Balance

I chose this scholarly article because I found that it explained clearly how a science teacher engaged and challenged her students by successfully implementing IBL in her classroom.  Like the article stated, many teachers are stressed or tired just thinking about how to go about doing inquiry based learning in their classroom.  I’m hoping this article will help teachers feel more at ease about how to manage the different elements of IBL.

Poon, Chew-Leng, Doris Tan, and Aik-Ling Tan. "Classroom Management And Inquiry-Based Learning: Finding The Balance." Science Scope 32.9 (2009): 18-21. Education Source. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.

3. Enabling Inquiry Learning in Fixed-Schedule Libraries- An Evidence Based Approach

This scholarly article is about how to successfully do inquiry based learning at the library with a fixed library schedule.  The teacher librarian and classroom teacher were able to collaborate and develop a project that can be done in the classroom and in the library.  The teachers used technology such as Edmodo to manage the project and students were engaged and excited about the project. This is a challenge that I also face in my library since I also have a fixed library schedule.  This article has provided me with some ideas on how to organize a project despite the time limitations at the library.

Stubeck, Carole J. "Enabling Inquiry Learning In Fixed-Schedule Libraries." Knowledge Quest 43.3 (2015): 28-34. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Jan. 2015.

4. The Balanced Literacy Diet- The Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, University of Toronto

I have chosen this site because there is a large selection of videos, lesson plans, pictures and resources for literacy instruction.  An important part of being able to do inquiry based learning is to be able to read and write a variety texts.  This site will provide a wealth of information for any literacy question that teachers may have and will help teachers to explicitly teach any skills needed for students to complete their inquiry. 

Overall I was quite inspired by the many resources I have found so far.  There is a lot of information about this topic and like my students my main challenge will be sifting through all the information and to only focus on the most useful sites.