Dr.

Michael Schmoker shares a study, in his book, Results Now, that of 1,500
classrooms visited, 85% of them had engaged less than 50% of the students.
In other words, only 15% of the classrooms had more than half of the class
at least paying attention to the lesson.

Inquiry starts with teachers as engaged learners that foster places for
wonder and exploration. Inquiry classrooms strive to nurture students will a
deep, discipline-based way of thinking and doing. This active learning that
starts by posing questions, problems or scenarios—opposed to simply
presenting established facts or portraying a route to knowledge. The teacher
acts as a facilitator that assists students in their discoveries.
 As a 21st century teacher, we need to provide opportunities for students to
become digitally fluent. Teaching them strategies for successful research
and communication is imperative to allow students to be successful learners.
Students need to learn expressive why the tools they are using will provide
their desired outcome.

A digitally fluent student:

Knows where and Critiques the

how to find and relevance and
accuracy of Skillful producer of
access information
information being digital content.
quickly and
accurately. accessed.

Understands and
Recognizes and use
demonstrates how use
the most effective
digital technologies
methods of reaching responsibly including –
their intended digital security (self-
audience. protection), copyright.
 Inquiry involves learners to:
Tackle real- Become Pursue Develop
world questions, confident and curiosities and questioning,
issues and independent interests within research and
controversies. learners. a meaningful communication
topic. skills.

Identify and Solve problems Develop deep Collaborate

testing or create understanding within and
hypotheses within solutions. of content beyond the
a collaborative knowledge. classroom.
setting.

Sources:
Introduction. (2009). Teaching Information Literacy for Inquiry-Based Learning, 127-134. doi:10.1016/b978-1-84334-441-
4.50007-8

Miller, C., & Bartlett, J. (2012). ‘Digital fluency’: towards young people’s critical use of the internet. Journal of Information
Literacy. Retrieved June 1, 2017, from http://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/ojs/index.php/JIL/article/view/PRA-V6-I2-2012-3

Partnership for 21st Century Kills. "Learning for the 21st Century: A Report and MILE Guide for 21st Century Skills." The
Partnership for 21st Century Skills - Home. N.p., 2003. Web. 1 June 2017.

Prasad, R. (2016, April 11). Digital fluency in the 21st century learner. Retrieved June 1, 2017, from
https://rebeccaprasad.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/digital-fluency-in-the-21st-century-learner/

Schmoker, M. J. (2006). Results now: how we can achieve unprecedented improvements in teaching and learning.
Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Womack,A.M.(2016). Inquiry-Based Learning. Retrieved June 1, 2017, from http://www.writingrhetorics.com/2016/02/inquiry-

based-learning.html. Writing Rhetorics by Anne-Marie Womack is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.