Reflections

Final Reflections The different types of inquiry models were new to me. I have never considered doing research follow any type of model. I found all of the models contained helpful ideas for conducting thorough research. The I-Search model contains four steps: selecting a topic, finding information, using information, and developing a final project. These steps were a great help while I was researching iPads. The flexibility of this model allowed me to within its framework my original question and guided my research easily. The I-Search model helped me to organize my thoughts and the information I gathered. I fell using this model deepen my research. The I-Search model enabled me to re-evaluate my original question and guided my research. In the future, I will suggest the use of this inquiry model to students while they are conducting research. In the beginning of this process I was very nervous about how to conduct an inquiry. I had never used an inquiry model or used a wiki as my project format. Truthfully I was not sure how to approach this project. After reading about the I-Search model and how to use it for an inquiry I began to focus on my question for this project. I choose iPads and their uses for my Inquiry because the school I work for is looking into purchasing eReaders. I wanted my project to have meaning for me. I soon found that managing a wiki is complicated. I am still trying to understand some of the finer point of creating a wiki. I will definitely continue to learn about wikis and blogs and how they can be utilized in schools. Researching the iPad and its uses, lead me on an interesting path. There was so much information on iPads and their uses that I was very overwhelmed by how to find the information that was relevant to my project. I kept going back to my question to help focus my research and the wealth of information. At first I was discouraged by the information I was finding. Most of the websites and blogs only contained information about applications for the iPads. I was hoping for more diversified information. Eventually I was able to locate information about practical uses for the iPad in the school library. Locating the information about iPads in the library helped me to regain my focus for this project. I was able to re-evaluate the sources I had found and pinpoint the important points that I wanted to mention on my wiki. There are so many uses for iPads in schools. It was interesting reading articles, websites, and blogs and using personal communication and email to locate information. It was such a change from the typical research I have done for previous classes. I found it helpful to read information that was written on a level that was easy to understand and relate to. Being able to discuss iPads with an actual librarian was very beneficial. After our discussion, I worked on locating information that would be beneficial to her in her search for the perfect eReader or other technology. The most important concepts I learned from this inquiry project were always be willing to re-evaluate your research and be flexible. The inquiry process taught me a new and useful way to conduct research.