Background to research:
There are many benefits to implementing inquiry-based learning programs some of the main factors include:
• Highly motivated engaged lessons
• Improves information literacy
• Assisting with the construction of knowledge in ways that are guided by the instructor
• Develops critical thinking skills
• Uses a team approach to problem solving while maintaining individual accountability
• Leads to long term retention of information
• Develops deeper understanding of subject matter
• Stimulates cognitive growth
• Promotes innovation in teaching and classroom techniques
• Focused on intrinsic rather than extrinsic benefits to the learner
• Enables students to teach and learn from each other
• Pace and content can be adapted to suit your individual learning needs
What participation involves?
The learning experience will involve attending a 2 hour class in web design delivered using inquiry based learning methods. This will involve deciding as a group a series of questions to determine the purpose of the website. The class will then collaboratively brainstorm design ideas for a new website and these ideas will form a project plan. A prototype website will then be developed in class by the tutor as a demonstration covering all the elements of the plan and showing the steps involved in developing web pages. Throughout the process the design principles of web design will be covered and the final example will be made available to the class as a learning resource.
You will be able to quit the learning experience at any stage without penalty and have your data immediately and securely deleted.
You will then conduct an on line collaborative inquiry based learning activity in your own time as an assignment based on the same process covered in the classroom session. Additional resources will be made available via a dedicated website (user name and password required) which you are encouraged to use and no previous technical knowledge in web design will be required to participate in this study.
Approximately 1 week after the class there will be a follow up group session where you will present your website to the group and reflect on the learning experience.
After the learning experience (follow up week), you will be asked to take part in a short interview that will capture your thoughts on the experience. You will be free to omit answers for any of the questions asked in the interview as they are all optional. With prior permission these short interviews will be audio recorded. Any data pertaining to the identity of all participants will be anonymised. The sessions will be scheduled in order to be convenient to each participant.
Debriefing
Before the experience, you will be provided with this information sheet and the consent form. After the experience, you will be verbally debriefed about the research. Upon request, you will be informed about the findings of the research after it has completed. If you have questions at any stage about the research or the project, they will be answered immediately.
How will my information be used?
The website from your learning experience will be graded by an external subject matter expert and your interview answers will be analysed and discussed in a written research project submitted to Trinity College Dublin.
How will my identity/data be protected?
No personal information will be attached to your test results from your learning experience or to your interview answers. All information collected by the researcher will be anonymised, treated with full confidentially and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act at Trinity College, Dublin. In the unlikely event that information about illegal activities should emerge during the study, the researcher will be obliged inform the relevant authorities.
Conflict of interests
There should be no conflict of interests between the researcher and the participants of this research project as none of the participants will be known by or associated to the researcher. No participants should have a professional interest in the research topic. If any participant feels that there may be a conflict of interests due to their participant, they should inform the research and not proceed with the research.
There are many benefits to implementing inquiry-based learning programs some of the main factors include:
• Highly motivated engaged lessons
• Improves information literacy
• Assisting with the construction of knowledge in ways that are guided by the instructor
• Develops critical thinking skills
• Uses a team approach to problem solving while maintaining individual accountability
• Leads to long term retention of information
• Develops deeper understanding of subject matter
• Stimulates cognitive growth
• Promotes innovation in teaching and classroom techniques
• Focused on intrinsic rather than extrinsic benefits to the learner
• Enables students to teach and learn from each other
• Pace and content can be adapted to suit your individual learning needs
What participation involves?
The learning experience will involve attending a 2 hour class in web design delivered using inquiry based learning methods. This will involve deciding as a group a series of questions to determine the purpose of the website. The class will then collaboratively brainstorm design ideas for a new website and these ideas will form a project plan. A prototype website will then be developed in class by the tutor as a demonstration covering all the elements of the plan and showing the steps involved in developing web pages. Throughout the process the design principles of web design will be covered and the final example will be made available to the class as a learning resource.
You will be able to quit the learning experience at any stage without penalty and have your data immediately and securely deleted.
You will then conduct an on line collaborative inquiry based learning activity in your own time as an assignment based on the same process covered in the classroom session. Additional resources will be made available via a dedicated website (user name and password required) which you are encouraged to use and no previous technical knowledge in web design will be required to participate in this study.
Approximately 1 week after the class there will be a follow up group session where you will present your website to the group and reflect on the learning experience.
After the learning experience (follow up week), you will be asked to take part in a short interview that will capture your thoughts on the experience. You will be free to omit answers for any of the questions asked in the interview as they are all optional. With prior permission these short interviews will be audio recorded. Any data pertaining to the identity of all participants will be anonymised. The sessions will be scheduled in order to be convenient to each participant.
Debriefing
Before the experience, you will be provided with this information sheet and the consent form. After the experience, you will be verbally debriefed about the research. Upon request, you will be informed about the findings of the research after it has completed. If you have questions at any stage about the research or the project, they will be answered immediately.
How will my information be used?
The website from your learning experience will be graded by an external subject matter expert and your interview answers will be analysed and discussed in a written research project submitted to Trinity College Dublin.
How will my identity/data be protected?
No personal information will be attached to your test results from your learning experience or to your interview answers. All information collected by the researcher will be anonymised, treated with full confidentially and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act at Trinity College, Dublin. In the unlikely event that information about illegal activities should emerge during the study, the researcher will be obliged inform the relevant authorities.
Conflict of interests
There should be no conflict of interests between the researcher and the participants of this research project as none of the participants will be known by or associated to the researcher. No participants should have a professional interest in the research topic. If any participant feels that there may be a conflict of interests due to their participant, they should inform the research and not proceed with the research.