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Blog post week 5

     When I reflect upon how my thoughts about inquiry based learning have changed over the past few weeks a few main components come to mind. The first is that there is a difference between facts and concepts and both are important when developing an inquiry based learning lesson. The second is that one is able to change non-investigable questions to investigable questions. And the last is that there are many web 2.0 and technology tools that can be used to enhance students engagement in inquiry based learning lessons.
      Facts are isolated pieces of information that are detailed. Concepts are broad connects between two pieces of information. In order for students to fully grasp the understanding of concepts to its full extent, students must first understand that facts.
        When creating an inquiry based learning environment it is important to keep in mind that facts are the basis of all concepts. It is important that as teachers we teach students the difference between investigable questions, questions that can be tested and answers and non-investigable questions, questions that cannot be answered through a test or experiment. It is also very important that students realize that it is possible to change non- investigable questions to investigable questions. They are able to do so when they pick out specific variables about a question that they are able to pick out and change so that it can be tested and answered.
      Lastly, inquiry based classrooms and lessons can be enhanced through the use of web 2.0 tools. Web 2.0 technology tools can help to engage students. Brainstorming tools to help students come up with questions, and presentations tools to help students communicate their findings. There are an endless amount of web 2.0 tools to help and enhance any inquiry based learning classroom and lesson.
      In the upcoming weeks I hope to learn some ways to create a organized inquiry based learning lesson. I hope to create a lesson that can effectively help students to use inquiry to learn facts and concepts in a unit.

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