Fostering Curiosity and Investigations through Problematic Scenarios

Room: Superior A

presented by John Barell, Consultant/Author,

How do we challenge students to ask good questions and continue with solid investigations? The answers to these questions depend, in part, on our understanding of what fosters inquiry and stimulates thinking. Using research from cognitive and developmental psychologists (Berlyne, Sigel) and educators (Dewey) we will engage in a variety of activities challenging us to identify what in our environments leads to our asking questions, what propels us to think critically and creatively. We will then apply these understandings to developing problematic scenarios that can serve as unit initiating experiences as well as summative assessments.

John Barell, Consultant/Author,
John Barell has been a teacher, author, and professional development consultant for several decades. His work has focused primarily upon working with educators wishing to challenge their students to inquire, investigate, think critically, creatively and reflect. From New York City, to Montclair State University and to The American Museum of Natural History, Barell has worked with educators at all levels of instruction, K-12++. His most recent publications are Developing More Curious Minds (2003, ASCD) and Problem-Based Learning--An Inquiry Approach (2007, Corwin).