New+Inquiry+Definition+and+Rubric

Inquiry is a type of higher-level learning in which students collect existing information from various resources and use the information gathered to develop new theories and solve problems. It involves seeking the complex multiple outcomes to a present problem through active exploration of the surrounding world. Inquiry does not lead to one answer; students are encouraged to interpret and develop an argument to support their own findings and are required to go beyond just answering questions. They are to analyze, synthesize or evaluate the information they have collected and come up with their own theories and arguments. Inquiry is to explore different avenues of research and develop an answer that makes sense to the student based on their research. However, it is more than simple research, review or study, as these are means to pure facts; a simple answer to a simple problem. Inquiry differs from other types of investigation as it is more than a means to an end or the answer to a question. It allows the seeker the opportunity to use their mind to develop a concept or solution to a problem by using all available resources, including but not limited to observation, reasoning and critical thinking. Critical thinking allows the student the chance to think outside the box to develop their own understanding of the unique issue. The student is required to do more than restate prior knowledge, it is necessary to process and internalize new information using it creatively to problem solve. By the time the activity comes to an end, the seeker will have a larger understanding of the original problem as well as a set of skills to better problem solve in the future. This information is not meant for the here and now, but is meant to provoke and inspire students toward higher-level thinking that will continue to motivate them and affect their learning throughout their lives.

Rubric

1** || **Partial 2** || **Exemplary 3** || **Score** || correct answer** || There is one correct answer. || More than one answer is found, but there is an incomplete solution. || No restrictions on possible number of solutions. ||  || retelling of that research through a chart or report. || Task requires research and retelling while also specifying for the inclusion of one original idea || Task requires research that promotes creativity of all original ideas, thoughts, and theories. ||  || forms of creative problem solving (i.e. reasoning, observation, experimentation, etc.)** || The task does not require the performer to use information in any other way than restating facts. || The task is mostly straightforward; the required task needs little new information to be used. || The performer of this task is required to manipulate new information in many ways to complete the task. ||  || in developing skills needed to better problem solve in the future** || No new skills have been developed through this task. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">The task encourages some new skills, but full potential cannot be reached. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">The task allows the performer to fully develop a new set of problem solving skills. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;"> || at the conclusion of the project. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">Task requires the synthesis and analysis of information throughout the entire project || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;"> ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**Criteria** || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**Not Evident
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**There is more than one
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**Research** || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">Task requires research and
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**The task encourages the use of multiple
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**The requirements of the task aid
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">**Synthesis/Analysis of Information** || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">Task requires no synthesis or analysis of the research done. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">Task requires one final analysis