Inquiry

Ko ia kāhore nei i rapu, tē kitea

He who does not seek will not find

An Inquiry is where you ask questions which are meaningful to you, and in which you do not necessarily have easy answers. You focus on the process rather than the solution.

Kath Murdoch's Inquiry Cycle (image on right) is a good cycle to follow and you will go through these stages.

This also relates to our SELWAVE Segments.

Below will explain each stage further.

Context or Focus

Decide on the focus of your inquiry.

The scope of your inquiry could have a global, national, or local focus. It could be how the issue is dealt with in your community or your suburb, school or home. The community can be global, national or local.

You can tell a story, write a statement, or a question. This can be general or more specific.

This should be broad and cover a range of solutions such as:

Website
Game
Animation
Image/Poster
Film
Audio
3d Object

Some starters to help you decide what this might be...

What ideas am I interested in?
What do I know about the topic?
How do I know about it?
What experience do I have with this topic?

What do I want to know?
What am I wondering?
What are my questions?
What am I feeling?

Focus Examples (expand for more info)

I love gaming
I have always drawn and I would like to explore what I can do with my drawing further
I want to be able to help

Places to find Big Picture Ideas

Galaxy Zoo

United Nations SDGs

QUESTIONS

Write your Essential or Big Question.

Based on your area of focus what is the main question (also known as essential or big) you are trying to find answers to?

Try to frame the question into a "How might we" Question for example:

How might we teach the public about diabetes

How might we help those in 3rd world countries get access to clean drinking water

How might we teach proper diving techniques

How might we educate about bastion point/Takaparawhau

How might we educate about Rangiriri

Essential Question Examples (expand for more info)

How do I create a successful brand?
How do I make an awesome game?
How can I help my grandparents?
How can we educate about Takaparawhau?
Is a game the best outcome?
What are some good tools to use to convey the information?

Broad inquiry questions that could lead to a web, app, or animation project, but also have potential for a game outcome:

How can we use interactive media to teach a foreign language to learners of different ages and backgrounds, and can we incorporate game-like elements to make the learning process more engaging?
How can we use animation to visually communicate complex scientific or technical concepts, and can we develop an accompanying game that reinforces the learning goals?
How can we use web development tools to create an online platform that connects people with different backgrounds or interests and encourages them to engage in collaborative learning and problem-solving activities, potentially using game mechanics to motivate participation?
How can we develop a mobile app that provides information and resources related to mental health and wellness, and can we incorporate game-like elements to encourage healthy habits and behaviors?
How can we create an educational website that teaches users about environmental issues, and can we include interactive games that teach sustainable practices and behaviors?
How can we use virtual or augmented reality technologies to simulate real-world scenarios and experiences that have educational value, and can we create accompanying games that enhance the learning experience?
How can we create an educational platform that teaches young learners about history and culture, and can we incorporate game elements that make the learning process fun and interactive?
How can we use multimedia tools to create an educational resource that teaches students about social justice and equity issues, and can we develop interactive games that challenge learners to think critically about these topics?
How can we use data visualization and storytelling techniques to present complex data and information in an engaging and accessible way, and can we create games that allow users to interact with and analyze this data?
How can we use digital media to create a tool that helps learners practice mindfulness and self-reflection, and can we develop games that reinforce these practices and provide users with positive feedback and encouragement?
How can we create a game that teaches players about a specific historical event or time period?
What types of games are most effective at teaching players about science or math concepts?
How can we use game design to encourage players to learn about a specific culture or community?
What types of games are most effective at promoting healthy behaviors, such as exercise or healthy eating?
How can we use game design to educate players about important social issues, such as climate change or inequality?
What are the key features of successful educational games, and how can we apply these features to a game that teaches a specific topic?
How can we create a game that appeals to a broad audience, including players of different ages and skill levels?
How can we use game design to foster empathy and understanding between players from different backgrounds or cultures?
How can we create a game that encourages players to explore and appreciate the natural world?
What types of games are most effective at teaching players about important historical figures or events, and how can we use game design to make these topics engaging and interactive?
ow can we use digital technologies to better explore and understand our solar system?
How can we use digital technologies to simulate and test different space exploration strategies?
How can we use digital technologies to communicate the excitement and importance of space exploration to the general public?
How can we use digital technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of space missions?
How can we use digital technologies to study and mitigate the effects of space radiation on human health?
How can we use digital technologies to monitor and predict space weather and its impact on Earth?
How can we use digital technologies to design and build more advanced and sustainable space habitats?
How can we use digital technologies to create more realistic and engaging simulations of space environments and activities?
How can we use digital technologies to explore and understand the potential for life beyond Earth?
How can we use digital technologies to facilitate international collaboration in space exploration and research?

Further Question Examples (expand for more info)

What are the most popular [games, websites, products]?
What do my grandparents struggle to do?
Is graphics good for a game?
Why should we educate about Rangiriri?
What are some educational games?

Specific resources to help

Game Design Inquiry Resources

NoT - Nature of Technology

Research

Now you have a range of questions to start with you need to go and find out more information.

At this stage you want it to be broad and explore all areas. You might have some hunches/ideas/beliefs already but the key is to find out what is true/real

You all need to make sure that your sources are real.

You need to make sure you are noting the source for bibliography

You should be using a range of sources including; the internet; books; data; surveys; interviews; case studies; experiments. https://scholar.google.com/

include different perspectives that relate to the inquiry focus

L3 only

include different perspectives that relate to the inquiry focus and compare and contrast these.
you need to critique any sources used and evaluate their potential for bias and inaccuracies.

To do this you examine each source and provide a careful judgment with your opinion about whether the source has provided an equal chance for different ideas to be presented (bias) and whether the information, that may or may not be completely correct or exact (inaccuracies), is backed by research and/or data.

Getting started.....

Where might I go to find out more information?
What resources might I use?
What key words could I use in my searches?

During.....

How do I know my resources are good?
Where can I find different points of view on this?
What can I do to learn more?

Checking sources for bias

Using the STRAP test tool we can check over the Sources you have found for Bias and inaccuracies.

REFINING & SORTING

At this stage you should have asked a range of questions and researched each. You need to sort out if there are any gaps or further questions you need to ask.

You may need to refine your Essential question to be more specific now you have more information.

Ask yourself.....

Have I answered my essential question thoroughly?
Have I looked at a variety of sources/opinions?
What am I feeling about my inquiry at this point?
What are my questions now?

Has my direction changed?
Do I need to find out more information?
How can I plan to show the connections I have made?

ANALYSE

Analysing means carefully examining information in order to understand, interpret and explain it to reach your own conclusions about how the elements of your context/essential question fit together to create something that may not be evident at first glance. This can involve identifying assumptions, gaps and connections between such things as data, reasoning or evidence.

You need to break this down into its fundamental parts.

Follow the format below to write your analysis of research.

Introduction - Lead with the your context and your essential question and explain why it is important to you.

Body -

Make an argument or reach a conclusion based on your essential question. What is the big picture and the important considerations within this issue.
Choose specific question(s) or areas to:
- - examine and interpret
  - discuss why the question/area is important or significant
  - discuss how the question/area connects to other pieces
  - discuss the implications (something that is suggested, or happens, indirectly) & perspectives (the way that one looks at something)
  - L3 requirement - has compared and contrasted different perspectives. What was the differing opinion? Why was the view different?
  - may discuss causes & effects
  - may discuss strengths & weaknesses or advantages & disadvantages
  - may discuss effectiveness or ineffectiveness
  - may discuss the concerns and points raised by the issue/question
  - Discuss the possible outcomes it could lead to such as:
    - Website
    - Game
    - Animation
    - Poster
    - 3D Object
    - Audio

Conclusion - summarise the argument or conclusion. It “wraps up” your inquiry and it demonstrates that you accomplished what you set out to do.

Topic sentence
- - Fresh rephrasing of your introduction
Supporting sentences
- - Summarise or wrap up the main points you covered in the body
  - Explain how ideas fit together
Closing sentence
- - Final words
  - Connects back to the introduction
  - Provides a sense of closure

PROPOSAL

You are going to take everything so far and now write a proposal for the outcome you want to design & develop.

Click on the proposal Link here.

RISKS (Level 3 only)

You need to explain the relevant risks and ways to mitigate these risks. What is the risk and what can you do to make it less severe, dangerous, painful etc

Risks could be:

time
financial
estimations and scheduling
incorrect functionality
scope creep
factors outside of one's control

SUMMARY

This is a justification of how and why your proposal addresses the chosen issue that you have explored and researched.

You need to report on the findings of the research in relation to the inquiry question(s) and proposed digital technologies outcome.

discuss possible future opportunities relating to the inquiry focus and explain the possible impacts of these opportunities
evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed digital technologies outcome.
consider possible issues relating to the proposed outcome and suggest areas for improvement, extension, and/or follow-up
critique the accuracy, relevance, reliability, and/or significance of the findings
Are there any limitation on your conclusions, any angles you haven’t considered?