Entry 12: Information-Learning Journey Wordle

Entry 11: Final Reflection Questionnaire

Entry 10: Great Inquiry and Information Literacy Glogs

By DC Library

Entry 9: Reflection Reflection Reflection

My experience in this inquiry project has made me realise the importance and centrality of reflection in inquiry learning.  I have found myself engaging in continual reflection at all stages of this task - whether it be reflecting on my prior knowledge at the beginning of the unit, to reflecting on the relevance and reliability of source materials.  I found reflective practice to be particularly important when writing my literature review as it enabled me to develop the complexity of my arguments and improve my lines of reasoning through revising and extending concepts and ideas and drafting, re-drafting and re-working to come up with a polished and comprehensive assignment.

Reflection has been central in enabling me to make complex connections and develop deep knowledge and understanding.  Without reflecting on information, processes and my own learning, I think my knowledge and understanding of the topic would have been more superficial or of surface value.  Reflection enabled me to draw connections and assimilate new meanings and understandings with my prior knowledge - I think it was instrumental in bringing about those ‘a-ha’ moments.  Reflection and metacognition was also vital in ensuring my learning remained ‘on track’ and in this way, it enabled me to experience deeper learning and further extend my knowledge and understanding.

I like the following inquiry model for the way in which it places reflection at the centre of inquiry learning.  It acknowledges that reflection occurs at all stages/phases throughout the inquiry - the planning, retrieving, processing, creating, sharing and evaluating.

(Alberta Learning 2004)
http://jcomfort.typepad.com/dr_charles_best_library/files/focusoninquiry.pdf

Callison’s model also acknowledges the importance of reflection and Callison distinguishes between formative reflection (to assess exploration, assimilation and inference) and summative reflection (of connected decisions across a major assignment or research unit).  The importance that effective reflection plays in fostering independent, lifelong learners is emphasised in this way.

Entry 8: Second Reflection