Inquiry Project 1:Inquiry Project 1:

Finding and Using Internet InformationFinding and Using Internet Information

Amy LesterAmy Lester

Fall 2007 CEP 806Fall 2007 CEP 806

Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University

The Idea:

An Online Search for Examples of Earth’s Surface An Online Search for Examples of Earth’s Surface FeaturesFeatures

I chose to my inquiry plan based upon discussions within my 3rd and 4th grade split classroom. We began a Science unit on recognizing and describing Earth’s surface features. The textbooks provided by the school exclude this topic, even though it is required by our adopted curriculum to be taught at these grade levels. The students and I decided the best way to learn about and “see” the landforms is to search the internet for actual pictures from across the continents. Fortunately, this fit quite nicely into the requirements for Inquiry Project 1.

Predictions and Explanations for Searching the Predictions and Explanations for Searching the InternetInternet

The initial prediction I had dealt with the site every student The initial prediction I had dealt with the site every student would visit. The only search engine this particular group of would visit. The only search engine this particular group of students has been introduced to is www.google.com. I students has been introduced to is www.google.com. I immediately assumed the students would search the images immediately assumed the students would search the images located here and be done with the assignment. If this were located here and be done with the assignment. If this were to happen, I expected every student to produce the same to happen, I expected every student to produce the same pictures as examples of the different surface features. pictures as examples of the different surface features.

A second prediction I had about the internet search was the A second prediction I had about the internet search was the difficulty of the assignment. While I have a split classroom of difficulty of the assignment. While I have a split classroom of 33rdrd and 4 and 4thth grade students, there are a number of students grade students, there are a number of students who shy away from new experiences, this being one such who shy away from new experiences, this being one such thing. They are quick to say “I don’t get it” and throw in the thing. They are quick to say “I don’t get it” and throw in the towel. This particular inquiry plan is intending to help these towel. This particular inquiry plan is intending to help these students past this frustration point. It will be able to show students past this frustration point. It will be able to show those students they are capable and competent in online those students they are capable and competent in online learning.learning.

Description of Inquiry Plan: An Online Search for Description of Inquiry Plan: An Online Search for Earth Surface Features Earth Surface Features

The students will be introduced to five alternative The students will be introduced to five alternative search engines. They will be written clearly on search engines. They will be written clearly on the board at the beginning of the assignment. the board at the beginning of the assignment. This will address my initial prediction of all search This will address my initial prediction of all search results coming from google.com. They will be results coming from google.com. They will be instructed to search from these search engines, instructed to search from these search engines, not Google. not Google.

The students are being placed into six groups of The students are being placed into six groups of three students each. They are a mixture of both three students each. They are a mixture of both 33rdrd and 4 and 4thth grade students, as well as high and low grade students, as well as high and low capabilities. This will address the prediction of capabilities. This will address the prediction of students “giving up” if they encounter difficulties.students “giving up” if they encounter difficulties.

Description of Inquiry Plan : ContinuedDescription of Inquiry Plan : Continued

Every group will receive an information sheet. Every group will receive an information sheet. This will ask them to list the search engine they This will ask them to list the search engine they use, number of results from search, sites visited, use, number of results from search, sites visited, sites used for information, along with three sites used for information, along with three questions intended for my benefit for their questions intended for my benefit for their comprehension of the assignment.comprehension of the assignment.

This is to be completed during an extended This is to be completed during an extended Science class time. The students will have Science class time. The students will have approximately 75 minutes to search and approximately 75 minutes to search and complete the task.complete the task.

Interesting Patterns in Data Interesting Patterns in Data

Finding One:Finding One: 2 out of 6 groups used 2 out of 6 groups used

4 or more search 4 or more search engines to locate engines to locate pictures of earth pictures of earth surface features.surface features.

4 out of 6 groups used 4 out of 6 groups used only 1 search engine to only 1 search engine to generate the required generate the required pictures. In addition, pictures. In addition, these 4 groups all used these 4 groups all used the same search the same search engine, ask.com.engine, ask.com.

Why Finding One is Why Finding One is interesting:interesting: My initial goal was to My initial goal was to gather a response from the gather a response from the inquiry that improved my inquiry that improved my students’ internet students’ internet searching abilities. I have searching abilities. I have successfully introduced my successfully introduced my students to at least one students to at least one new seach engine. While I new seach engine. While I would prefer more, this is would prefer more, this is the first step of many. Not the first step of many. Not one out of the six groups one out of the six groups used google.com to used google.com to complete the assignment.complete the assignment.

More Interesting Findings… More Interesting Findings…

3 out of 6 groups searched 3 out of 6 groups searched for specific surface for specific surface features one at a time, features one at a time, while the remaining 3 while the remaining 3 searched for “earth surface searched for “earth surface features” .features” .

2 out of 3 groups searched 2 out of 3 groups searched for specific features using for specific features using only one search engine.only one search engine.

This leads me to believe This leads me to believe that the students I predicted that the students I predicted may become frustrated and may become frustrated and “give up” still left a mark. “give up” still left a mark. These groups chose to stop These groups chose to stop at the first new site and at the first new site and complete the task, rather complete the task, rather than explore what others than explore what others have to offer. Meanwhile, 2 have to offer. Meanwhile, 2 groups search a broader groups search a broader term over several search term over several search engines. While they change engines. While they change the search engine, they do the search engine, they do not change what it is they not change what it is they are searching for.are searching for.

And so on…And so on…

3 out of 4 groups 3 out of 4 groups using ask.com as their using ask.com as their exclusive search exclusive search engine stated having engine stated having prior experience with prior experience with this site.this site.

2 out of 3 groups 2 out of 3 groups using solely ask.com using solely ask.com stated the assignment stated the assignment was “easy”.was “easy”.

One group stated the One group stated the assignment “got easier assignment “got easier when we got the hang when we got the hang of it!”of it!”

One group complained One group complained of technical difficulties.of technical difficulties.

All groups worked All groups worked collaboratively without collaboratively without objection.objection.

One last interesting detail…One last interesting detail…

None of the groups verbalized a None of the groups verbalized a complaint about misunderstanding, complaint about misunderstanding, the level of difficulty with the the level of difficulty with the assignment, or boredom.assignment, or boredom.

Emerging IdeasEmerging Ideas

This assignment was scheduled to take 75 This assignment was scheduled to take 75 minutes to complete, including instructional time. minutes to complete, including instructional time. This could be broken apart over several class This could be broken apart over several class periods, focusing on each specific surface feature.periods, focusing on each specific surface feature.

In order for the students to continue developing a In order for the students to continue developing a broader sense in internet searching, they need to broader sense in internet searching, they need to be continually introduced to a variety of search be continually introduced to a variety of search engines. If they elect to only use one at a time, engines. If they elect to only use one at a time, then I need to direct them to different sites during then I need to direct them to different sites during instructional time.instructional time.

A Bit of Self Reflection…A Bit of Self Reflection…

While the assignment was completed by all six While the assignment was completed by all six groups, I should stress next time the importance groups, I should stress next time the importance of the search as much as the importance of the of the search as much as the importance of the results.results.

Some group members took the lead role a bit too Some group members took the lead role a bit too strongly. I need to pay careful attention the strongly. I need to pay careful attention the groupings, otherwise the students should be groupings, otherwise the students should be working independently.working independently.

The importance of being an active teacher keeps The importance of being an active teacher keeps the students on task. The amount of time I spent the students on task. The amount of time I spent behind my desk during this assignment can be behind my desk during this assignment can be considered off-task time for several students. My considered off-task time for several students. My presence wandering amongst the groups kept presence wandering amongst the groups kept students focused on their task at-hand.students focused on their task at-hand.

Questions Left to PonderQuestions Left to Ponder

Would the students have gained more from this Would the students have gained more from this assignment had they worked independently?assignment had they worked independently?

Should I have extended the time frame allowed for Should I have extended the time frame allowed for the search?the search?

Had I worded the assignment differently, would the Had I worded the assignment differently, would the students have used more search engines to locate students have used more search engines to locate pictures?pictures?

Are the websites located through the search engines Are the websites located through the search engines at an adequate reading level for my students?at an adequate reading level for my students?

Once the students get to a website, do they Once the students get to a website, do they understand what they are looking for?understand what they are looking for?

Can the students recognize a quality website versus Can the students recognize a quality website versus one that is not?one that is not?