Learning Circles Training Course
More about Investigations
The investigations should be based on a curriculum-related topic. This will make it more meaningful to both you and the student. Most successful investigations are framed by a focus question.
The focus question
The question that gives direction and focus to the student investigation should be worded in such a way that it:
- Stimulates enquiry
- Should lead to higher order thinking – Refer to Bloom's classification
- Should be focused – It is a short investigation
- Should not have an obvious answer
For example a maths investigation on triangles could be focused on this question
What is the value of the triangle in architecture?
This question requires the learner to evaluate the triangle's best and worst properties.
Requesting information
During the investigation the students should discuss the focus question in their groups or with your facilitation as a whole class. The students should identify what information from other classes will help them in their investigation. This information may be in the form of opinions, surveys, measurements, photographs etc. Remember that the information requested should ideally be that kind of information that will highlight the differences or similarities between the students from different classes and locations.
Do not ask the other class for information that you could easily research on the Internet yourselves. For example, do not ask them for a definition of HIV/AIDS. This kind of information is factual and researchable and you are not likley to find different responses from difference classes.
In response to the focus question "What is the value of the triangle in architecture?" the students in your class may ask the other classes to identify triangles in buildings in their town and to send a photograph or a sketch of two or three such cases.
Meanwhile your students will do a classroom investigation on the properties of triangles and the reasons for its use in architecture.
Analysing information
On receiving responses from the Circle partners, your students will analyse each sketch/photograph and decide whether the triangles are used for purely cultural purposes, decorative use or essential to the architectural structure of the building. This will provide support for their investigation because they will be able to illustrate the use of triangles in different cultures as part of their findings.