Introduction

Inquiring About the World is a unit that will provide you with skills, knowledge and resources to conduct a powerful inquiry-based investigation. The unit is set in a science context with a focus on sustainability and the environment, but the skills you will learn can be used in a range of areas:
  • Future research-based tasks in your academic course;
  • The design and development of strategies for improving digital literacy competencies in students that you will be teaching in the future;
  • Developing a deep understanding of the inquiry process which forms the skills basis for a number of learning areas within the Australian Curriculum;
  • Developing greater confidence and expertise in the use of a range on Web 2.0 tools that you will find useful when you create curriculum resources for students in your classes; and
  • A sound understanding of key aspects of the Australian Curriculum with the focus on Sustainability, which will help you to plan valid and relevant student activities in several curriculum areas including Science and HASS.​
You will conduct a single topic investigation over 13 weeks around sustainability and the environment and then complete a report and present your findings in a digital presentation. Throughout the unit you will have opportunities to examine, review and evaluate a range of technology tools that have educational applications both as a student and future educator.  
This website is used in conjunction with the Unit Blackboard site

The Inquiry Process

This unit will use an Inquiry Process to guide your research. While the names of the stages vary with the model being used, in simple terms you will be:
Defining your topic (this includes developing effective questions);
Locating and curating information around your topic;
Selecting the information to answer your focus questions using a range of notetaking strategies;
Synthesising and Organising that information into a range of formats (report and presentation);
Presenting / Communicating your findings in a report and presentation; and
Evaluating the entire process.

What do whales and sharks have to do with this unit?

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Throughout this unit you will be challenged to examine your beliefs about a number of controversial and emotive topics and issues. You will come to understand that many are highly charged and evoke deep emotions and that often, when it comes to solving problems around that topic, there is no easy solution.  Often compromise or the notion of the "lesser of two evils" appears the only way forward. What you will be encouraged to do is to develop the ability to examine things with objectivity and through  data-driven information to come up with your own ideas about how to solve your chosen problem.

​The theme of whales, whale sharks and sharks that permeate the website, was designed to symbolise the often juxtaposed emotions we have around different topics.  Whales and whale sharks often evoke feelings of majesty and awe while for sharks it is of fear and anger. We 'love' whales and 'love to hate' sharks and yet they both have an extremely important role to play in the marine ecosystem.  What you will be encouraged to do is dig beneath the emotive veil of your chosen topic to ascertain an objective, scientifically based position.
Whale Sharks
They are not whales but are the largest ocean fish, growing up to 40 feet long. Despite the enormous size of these creatures very little is known about their movements and their habits. Whale sharks are found off the North West coast of Western Australia but where they go to breed, how they travel and where they travel to during the months they are not seen off W.A. is unknown. Research is currently under way in W.A. to determine more about these majestic creatures.
Sharks 
We have always had a love / hate relationship with these majestic creatures. We love them, we fear them, we eat them and we are enthralled by their behaviour. Are there more sharks in the ocean or are there just more people swimming? See our interview in emotions to gain more insight.
Can inquiry and research answer questions and provide us with a more detailed picture about both of these majestic creatures? 
Photo from berniedup