Enter the Inquiry Simulator
You are a high school student entering into a research project in one of your Social Studies courses. You've known that this project was part of the syllabus for some time now and also know that it represents a significant portion of the term's marks. You have mixed feelings. You know that there is a lot riding on this one assignment, and you've also had mixed experiences with these kinds of assignments before. The teacher enters the room and begins to explain the assignment.
What does the teacher do?
The teacher tells you what the research question is, how long the essay is, how many references you need in your bibliography and when it is due. He also tells you how many marks will be deducted for each day that it is late. Click here if this is you.
The teacher shows you an odd little video and starts a conversation about something that seems vaguely related to something that you were talking about last class, but you're really not sure what is going on. He hasn't mentioned a thing about a research assignment. Maybe he's forgotten? Maybe he took a few too many allergy pills? Click here if this is you.
The teacher explains the general parameters of the research assignment. There is a very broad topic and you are told that you will get to define your specific research within that topic. Some of you will have to do an essay, as everyone will write an essay throughout the year, but the rest of you are free to share your research in any way that you wish. Click here if this is you.
The teacher tells you that the class is going to make an online textbook for future years taking the course. The class will be divided into groups that will tackle specific sections of the text and you and your team will be responsible for researching, writing and embedding illustrative content into the section that you have been assigned. Click here if this is you.