RSA 4

http://web.ebscohost.com.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=6&sid=f05e7f25-ed84-4205-b904-b410849b2a69%40sessionmgr111&hid=128

Working in a progressive education school inquiry based learning is one area we strongly believe in. Just like Palloff and Pratt state in the text, “when students engage with each other in discussion, the possibilities for collaboration grow significantly.” I have seen this in action over the last few years but never had the opportunity to further research the topic. In 2011 Vacek conducted a study on the teaching strategy of Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL). POGIL is a technique that combines both content and process skills together. Students learning during this technique often work collaboratively in teams to reach the learning goal. This technique is often used in lab environments where processes of getting to an answer are just as important as the content itself. In his study he found that the class that was conducted using the POGIL teaching strategy increased the students understanding when compared to the control group.  These results reaffirm the way that I conduct my classroom. I give students the tools and a goal, and they ask and answer their own questions along the way to reaching the learning goal. The goal is obtained with a deeper understanding because the students learned it themselves verses being taught in lecture format.

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building Online Learning Communities. San Fransiciso, CA: Jossy-Bass.

Vacek, J. J. (2011). Process Oriented Guided Learning (POGIL), A Teaching Method From Physical Sciences, Premotes Deep Stident Learning in Avaition. Collegiate Aviation Review , 78-88.