From Pre-Defined Topics to Research Questions:

An Inquiry-Based Approach to Knowledge

Today’s Presentation

• Inquiry-guided learning

• Active learning techniques– Cephalonian Method– Clickers

Cephalonian Method Exercise

Cephalonian Method

• 2002- Morgan & Davies, Cardiff University – U.K.• Good first impression of the library• Generate enthusiasm• Encourage communication with librarian

and peers(Morgan & Davies, 2004)

Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

“Least effort” tends to be the norm

(Zipf as cited in Hepworth and Walton, 2009, p.80)

Traditional Research Approach

• Instructors assign/students choose a topic for a paper

• Students “read” encyclopedias, books, and journal articles

• Students “regurgitate the information without processing it in any fundamental way”

(Hepworth and Walton, 2009, p.9)

Courtesy Allentown Art Museum (http://www.renaissanceconnection.org/index.cfm)

Inquiry-Guided Learning

“ …refers to a range of strategies used to promote learning through students’ active, and increasingly independent, investigation of questions, problems and issues, often for which there is no single answer.

(Lee, Greene, Odom, Schecter,& Slatta, 2004, p.5)

Another Definition

“Inquiry-based learning is a process where students formulate questions, investigate widely, and create new knowledge. That knowledge is new to the student and is used by the student to answer a question, to develop a solution or support a position or point of view.”

(Branch & Solowan, 2003, p.6)

Inquiry-Guided Learning Influences

• Socrates• John Dewey• Boyer report of 1998

Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

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http://www.messiah.edu/boyer_center/about_boyer/

MSU Tier I Writing Goals

Students will be:

• Contributing members of MSU’s community of scholars

• Committed to asking important questions and to seeking rich responses to those questions

Tier I Shared Learning Outcomes: Research

• Apply methods of inquiry and conventions to generate new understanding

• Demonstrate an understanding of research as epistemic and recursive processes that arise from and respond back to various communities

MSU Libraries Instruction Unit

“…trying to reignite in them a spirit of curiosity, will, and purpose that manifests itself in independent questioning and inquiry."

(Lee, Greene, Odom, Schecter,& Slatta, 2004, p.5)

Example – Watch this video

Questions:

Sources at a Large Research Institution

• Background /reference• Articles• Books• Expert opinions• WWW

Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

www.lib.msu.edu/

• Peer-to-peer learning/collaborative group work

• Student-selected resources to library resources

• Sample searches

Exploring the Sources

Discussion About Inquiry-Guided Learning

Have you used inquiry-guided learning in your library instruction

classes?

1. Yes2. No3. Not sure

Why do you think instruction librarians would use inquiry-guided learning?

1. More interesting for students2. More interesting for librarian3. Student-centered4. Related to course outcomes5. All of the above

How do you think students react to inquiry-guided learning?

1. Like 2. Dislike3. Indifferent

What is the main challenge of using inquiry-guided learning for the

librarian?

1. Must think on your feet2. Time factor3. Loss of control4. Unpredictable responses5. Other

Our Role “Our role as educators is to consciously

foster ways of developing motivation and attitudes that encourage information seeking in learners.”

(Hepworth and Walton, 2009, p.80)Photo courtesy 2008 Michigan State University Board of Trustees

ReferencesBoyer Commission on Educating Undergraduates in the Research University. (1998).

Reinventing undergraduate education: A blueprint for America’s research university. Stony Brook, NY: State University of New York. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED424840 ). Retrieved April 26, 2010, from ERIC (on CSA Illumina) database.  

Branch, J.L. & Solowan, D.G. (2003). Inquiry-based learning: The key to student success. School Libraries in Canada, 22(4), 6-12.

Hepworth, M. & Walton, G. (2009). Teaching information literacy for inquiry-based learning. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.

Julian, S. & Benson, K. (2008, May). Clicking your way to library instruction assessment. College & Research Libraries News, (69)5, 258-260.

Lee, V.S., Greene, D.B., Odom, J., Schechter, E. & Slatta, R.W. (2004). What is inquiry-guided learning? In V. Lee (Ed.) Teaching and learning through inquiry: A guidebook for institutions and instructors. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.

McKeachie, W. & Svinicki, M. (2011). McKeachie’s Teaching Tips: Strategies, research, and theory for college and university teachers. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Morgan, N. & Davies, L. (2004). Innovative library induction: Introducing the ‘Cephalonian Method. SCONUL Focus, 32.

Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-Centered teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Boss.Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures at Michigan State University. Retrieved

from https://www.msu.edu/unit/wrac/t1/t1_index.html

Classroom exercises detailed in this presentation were developed jointly by the MSU Libraries’ Library Instruction Unit.

Comments and Questions

Michelle Allen(517) 884-0892allenm38@mail.lib.msu.edu

Benjamin Oberdick(517) 884-0895oberdic1@mail.lib.msu.edu