Personal
Connection
Well, I
didn’t know until I took this class that I even possessed a personal approach
to inquiry. In reflection, I feel that
my inquiry process is similar to Dr. Lamb’s 8W’s as well as the feelings step
of each phase of Carol Kuhlthau’s Information
Search Process model.
I don’t
remember ever being able to just pick a topic I was interested in within the
academia setting. I have always been
either assigned a topic or had to pick out a topic from a narrow field of
options. In either case, it was never a
topic I would be vested in to the point of it having a long term impact on
myself or my family.
Thus I never
had time to participate in the “Watching” phase and neither reflect deeply
and/or brainstorm about a topic such as the one I chose. I also missed out on feelings associated with
this step (Initiation) in Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process of
apprehension and uncertainty.
In the
second phase, referred to as “Wondering”, I had no problem coming up with
questions but at the same time, I did experience Kuhlthau’s feelings of
confusion and anxiety as in the Selection step because I didn’t know which
questions to focus on. Then I had a
mixture of emotions for the “Webbing” phase, “Wiggling” and “Weaving” phases
because I felt I had essentially combined all of these steps into just one by
gathering information and then using Sticky Notes to take notes on throughout
the process as well as simultaneously evaluating the sources I found. Throughout the process, I continuously organized
and analyzed the information I gathered in my Sticky Notes. In addition, I did a thorough, detailed and
final organization of the information by moving relevant information into four
separate Word documents focusing on my four questions when I had completed my
gathering phase for good in the process.
In Dr.
Lamb’s “Wrapping” phase, I created my Power point presentation. Other times, in my educational endeavors, I
have usually just written either an APA or a MLA paper as the final
product.
Now moving
on to the “Waving” stage which required me to share my presentation with my
peers and possibly other people. Well, I
am getting used to this aspect of sharing among my peers as opposed to just
showing it to my professor. Since I have
been in this program, I have been required to share at times my assignments but
this is the first time, I have shared an in depth deeply reflective inquiry
based project.
Lastly, the
“Wishing” phase I need to address. I smiled to myself when I first read the
description for this step because I keep a daily journal, I know I have
mentioned my thoughts and concerns about whatever assignment I am working on at
the moment in there. Of course, I have
never had to formally write an evaluation of my inquiry process and product
before this assignment but I am glad that I did. First, it makes sense to acknowledge your
‘wish’ list of regrets and triumphs as it relates to your assignment. You can think about this phase in your head
but it doesn’t become real until you see it in black and white. I have learned from writing my thoughts down
for years that you learn more from the experience (whatever that may be) when
you reflect and record your thoughts. I
know that I have certainly have learned a lot.
I know that I go through different steps in my journey within the
inquiry process and I can now identify and recognize these steps. I recognize the feelings I am feeling at each
phase and I know they are normal and just part of the search process I am going
through at the moment. In addition, I am
able to pass on my knowledge to students so they will successfully learn the
process of inquiry as well.
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