Stripling+article

//Inquiry: Inquiring Minds Want to Know//, by Barbara Stripling

"Inquiry is a process of learning that is driven by questioning, thoughtful investigating, making sense of information, and developing new understandings"(p50). Cyclical, not the simple answer, but deeper understandings leading to new questions, goal is not accumulation but exploration. Inquiry promotes constructivist learning, learners "follow a path of discovery to construct their own understandings, draw conclusions, create new knowledge, and share their knowledge with others" (p50). Teachers role is to create an environment that stimulates questioning and discovery. "how, rather than what, to learn" (p51). Stripling noticed that "most models of inquiry follow the same general cycle" (p51). Learning is more in-depth. TL's role is collaboration, providing resources through collection development, as well as non-print sources, and providing an environment of discovery. The AASL standards should be threaded throughout cross-curricular learning.