Reading Prompt # 6

EGBERT Ch. 6. Inquiry and Problem Solving
RICHARDSON Ch. 8. Podcasting and Screencasting: Multimedia Publishing for the Masses

Describe an inquiry or problem solving activity appropriate for ELLs that you have used, participated in, read about, or just now thought of. Describe which critical thinking skills it requires students to use and develop. Then, describe how this activity supports language and content learning for ELLs. Finally, comment on how podcasting could be used within the inquiry and problem solving process in a manner which supports language and content learning for ELLs.

According to Egbert, Inquiry is a process of discovery where the students go through several stages: questioning, reflecting and research. Problem-Solving, is the use of HOTS (higher order thinking skills) to find solutions (observe, organize, predict, synthesize, discuss, reflect, investigate, etc). The main points of Chapter #6 are using the skills that support students in the use of the language learning and the part that inquiry and problem-solving plays. Also, learning about technology programs that will help develop inquiry and problem-solving; and how computers can make language learning through inquiry and problem-solving more efficient and effective.

He also mentioned the steps for Inquiry and Problem-Solving, that even though they are different skills (inquiry and Problem-solving), critical thinking skills plays an important role in order to develop the language process. Some of them are:
*Know fact and opinion
*Distinguish a good reliable source and the information in it.
*Detecting Bias

The inquiry projects can be used to support language and content learning, by interacting with peers, answering meaningful questions, etc.
Egbert mentioned tips that will help create opportunities for solving-problem and inquiry. They are plenning of activities(wheter using technology or not) that help the learner increase their potential and master a inquiry and problem-solving skills.Computer Technologies can enhance language and content learning, during inquiry and problem solving activities with ESL Students.Learners can read, interact, listen with computer activities. The use of podcasting will be a great motivational tool for ELL students. It enables learners the ability to create a multimedia presentation and to use language to develop the results of the Inquiry and Problem-Solving activities.