new+Ibquiry+Based+Definition+and+Rubric

Inquiry is a type of learning approach which involves students asking questions. The purpose of inquiry is to engage students in active learning. It is different than simply just answering questions and remembering facts. Students can ask their own questions, investigate their question, develop their own skills, discuss their findings and then reflect on their findings. There are an infinite amount of answers when dealing with inquiry based questions, as well as, a multiple amount of methods involved in communicating and carrying out learning activities. These include: observing, researching, recording data, and processing information, just to name a few. Inquiry based learning gives students the opportunity to learn something on their own through personal experience rather than just being told "This is how it is" because the student is not seeing things through the teachers eyes but rather through his or her own. With Inquiry-based learning, the task requires that learners not only utilize multiple resources but also seek information that is broad in scope. In this way learners can examine the various aspects and/or viewpoints on the topic in order to develop answers/solutions to the questions that are comprehensive. Although Inquiry-based Learning requires that learners research and explore available information on topics and /or issues, the task also requires the learner to analyze and synthesize the available information to generate new ideas that are supported by their interpretation of the information. Inquiry-Based learning actually allows students to engage themselves in learning and actually motivates them to learn more about things that matter in the world and things that matter to them. 

Rubric Template  Method || The types of questions being asked require a one answer response || The types of questions being asked have a few possible answers || The types of questions being asked have an infinite amount of answers ||  || Method || The students are provided with only one technique used to discuss data || The students are provided a few techniques used to discuss data || The students are provided with a multitude of techniques used to discuss data (graphing, charts, journals, etc.) ||  || Method || Students are encourage to express their ideas in one task || Students are encouraged to express ideas in a few tasks || Students are encouraged to express ideas in a variety of tasks; i.e., journals, ideas, reports, graphs,etc. ||  ||
 * || **Not Evident**
 * 1** || **Partial**
 * 2** || **Exemplary**
 * 3** || **Score** ||
 * Degree of Knowledge Integration || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The task does not require that the learner analyze, interpret or synthesize information, but rather to recall/retell certain details. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The task requires that the learner engage in some analysis, interpretation and synthesis of information, but the ideas do not reflect full integration of their research || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The task requires that the learner analyze, interpret and synthesize information so that the new ideas generated reflect integration of their research ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Questioning
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Discussion
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Communications
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,serif; text-align: center;">Reflection Method || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Students are not encouraged to assess their own work || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Students are encouraged to assess their own work in one way (just to see if they got the right answer) || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Students are encouraged and required to assess their own work, their strengths and weaknesses, and reflect on their learning with their peers ||  ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,serif; text-align: center;">Scope of information and resources || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,serif; text-align: center;">Resources needed for the task only include one aspect or viewpoint on the topic in question. || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,serif; text-align: center;">Resources needed for the task only include two or three aspects and/or viewpoints on the topic in question. || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,serif; text-align: center;">Resources needed for the task incorporate most of the aspects and/or viewpoint available for the topic in question. ||  ||