Our most important tool in UWRT 1102 is the use of inquiry. In our class, we use the process of inquiry to find the gaps of a problem while understanding the topic without a need for memorization of facts ( that would be too easy)! Inquiry was the very first topic we grasped in this class and became a crucial component of writing to comprehend. Also, Inquiry has been involved in almost every assigment for this course and it quickly improves the quality and value of our work. It is through inquiry and research that we found holes in other author's arugements and expanded our knowledge regarding specific prompt topics. Inquiry teaches us as readers to create questions in our mind that further research can answer. It's crucial to read and become well-informed with what is already being said and how your ideas can contribute to the subject matter at hand.
Inquiry Based
Learning
Take a look at one of my recent Inquiry Logs. For UWRT 1102, these logs are assigned with a prompt and supported by research and questioning from the process of inquiry. For this particular assignment, the task was to highlight two large questions that pertained to the digital magazine project. My group's project was relating to the exploitation of celebrity figures in the media and what kind of impact that creates on a culture in many different aspects. Take a look to the right to view my Inquiry Log and comment your thoughts at the bottom of this page! Do you see where the research found and my ideas differ? Yes, I had to restate some information for context, but can you identify what is new to the conversation? This was the start to my inquiry process. It was a little scary at first but it turned into something great! You can see my group's entire assignment under the "Textual Media and Multiwriting" tab!
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Courtesy of @robinsamber on Youtube
STOP!
Take a mind break and watch this informational video about better understanding inquiry in the classroom!
"Free Writes" are a great way to quickly jot down your ideas in class! Usually, this is completed throughout class and is a source for you to summarize and create ideas with the ability to view at a later time! Below is one of my Free Writes from a class discussion on inquiry.
Free Write 9/15
~Our work will get to a point where we reference our own texts
~The point is to become part of a larger and longer conversation
~Critical reading in this assignment is more prevalent than just listening
~Fill in the missing links of articles through examination
~You can use personal experiences within a work to strengthen/reinforce a story or point
~Problems don't pop out of nowhere, they stem from issues we can identify in various ways
~Experience is one of the main inadvertent ways to identify issues
~When you create your inquiry question and begin to answer it, question what you write and keep an open mind that ~There might be more to it than just the cause you identified
~Stop compartmentalizing and grouping, connect various group and relate back to your original assumption
~Find outside sources that aren't being talked about my should be
My Perspective
Inquiry is the first step to formulating a text and it's safe to say that it's the most important step in writing. It's crucial to recognize that inquiry isn't just reading; it's exposing yourself to situations and reflecting upon those times to find fault or flattery. An open mind is the hardest part of the inquiry process but without it, your argument, theory or idea will be limited and possibly just another rendition of another piece. Inquiry is one of best teaching methods because it sparks your mind into a questioning and wondering state; isn't that more fun than just reading the same old paper and summarizing again and again? You might say to yourself, "oh yeah I already do that" but do you really? While examining, keep a cogniscient stance and remember your goal: to add validity to your idea and occupy your mind. If a text isn't making sense to you or you can't grasp the author's reasoning, set it aside and find something else in the mean time! Don't be discouraged, dive in and research like you've never researched before!