"Based on your learning experience in the LifeSaver lesson, describe the attributes of inquiry learning. How can you incorporate inquiry into your curriculum planning?"
i think that these inquiry projects are really great hands on activities that allow students to have fun, take control of their learning, and use technology to apply different skills such as math, using charts and graphs, and even literacy. I think that the life savers activity would be an awesome "reward" lesson for my students that have behaved and done well all week. They are earning their reward (candy) while still accomplishing something academic (math and graphs).
Inquiry projects could be used as rewards, to initiate problem solving and inquisitive thought processes. They can be used in just about any subject, but are especially nice for science, social studies and math lessons. With today's technology in the real world i think ti is important that students are exposed to as many different aspects of the Microsoft programs as possible. (personally, i had no idea that you could do 90% of what is possible on these programs [word, excel, ppt, etc] until this year). The more familiar students are with these programs, the more successful and creative they can be.
