Week 5 reflections

We started the class out understanding the differences between inquiry and research, to then understanding what drives your research. Where do your questions come from? As Dana states in the book, "According to Hubbard and Power (1993), wanderings and questions come from real world observations and dilemmas" (page 30). Once you have studied and evaluated your findings, you work on collecting the data. You have to put a plan into action to collect data that is relevant to your inquiry. Once you collect your data, how are you going to analyze it. Once you have compiled all your data and analyzed it its time to share your findings with others. In the Dana text, "the process of preparing your findings to share with others helps you clarify your own thinking about your work". (page 136) Now it’s important for you to establish with whom you need to share you work and what the best method in which to share it is. (Remember this depends on the audience for which your inquiry is intended, page 141). The end of the book reminds us that inquiry doesn't stop at solving every problem, Dana states that "its about finding new and better problems to study and in so doing, leading a continuous cycle of self and school improvement" (page 172). The assignments were very comprehensive and lead into very detailed results.  Had interviews and questioning to do with people I did not completely want to work with. However, it did open some communications that otherwise would not have existed. The discussion board postings were relevant most of the time. I had a interesting time with my blog.  If it was more to my liking I would create one for my class to use. It is a good way to share with parents, staff, other people and the students.