INTRODUCING: Question-based Investigations
A Question-based Investigation (QBI) is a new model for inquiry and product creation for primary-aged students developed by the MAPPEN team.
We have taken everything we have learnt from the creation and refinement of our concept-based sequences over the past six years and put it into a new practical and engaging model for inquiry. QBIs provide flexibility for teachers and choice for students without losing the support you can expect from MAPPEN.
Flexibility
Teachers have opportunities to modify the investigation to suit the needs of their students, by selecting appropriate;
immersion and research resources,
graphic organisers and thinking tools,
products for students to create, and
collaboration roles and social skill foci.
Support
Teachers using MAPPEN’s QBIs are supported with;
graphic organisers,
thinking tools,
immersion prompts,
research prompts,
rubrics and product posters, and
assessment criteria.
What is a Question-based Investigation (QBI)?
A QBI follows a simple model that includes seven phases: Immersion, Launch, Research, Synthesis, Collaboration, Exhibition, and Evaluation.
We have designed stage-specific versions of this model for:
Kindergarten / Foundation
Years 1 & 2
Years 3 & 4
Years 5 & 6
Each QBI is designed around a single year level to provide teachers with maximum flexibility to develop a scope-and-sequence to meet the needs of their composite, straight year, or cross-stage classrooms.
Teachers can implement a QBI across a few weeks, a term or a semester depending on the depth of the investigation they want their students to conduct.
Students are engaged in an investigation through the lens of a single big question which forms the centre-point of four to six essential questions.
Once immersed in the big question, students record their own questions, to add to the essential questions, and work towards conducting research to find the answers.
After undergoing their research, students have an opportunity to share their findings with the rest of the class (and with the teacher through the assessment activity), before working in groups to create a product or products. We have included a guiding question or questions to support students to create a product in response to what they have learnt.
Teachers can pre-select from 17 different products to accommodate available resources and time, the guiding question, and which skills need to be developed in their students.
Once created, students share their product/s at a class exhibition where visitors provide feedback.
Finally, during the Evaluation Phase of the investigation, students conduct a self-assessment and reflect on what they have learnt and how they can improve their skills for their next investigation.
Assessment
The QBI model empowers students to develop vital skills as they; question, research, summarise, collaborate, exhibit, and reflect.
Teachers can assess inquiry skills throughout the investigation, and they can also assess specific content understanding by conferencing with students during the Synthesis Phase.
We have provided links to the mandated content and outcomes of the Australian Curriculum, Victorian Curriculum and NSW Standards Authority Syllabus.
Development Timeline
So far, we have developed 21 QBIs ready to be used in the classroom. We are currently creating more investigation sequences to address the following learning areas:
Science
Design Technology
Business and Economics
Health
History
Geography
Civics and Citizenship
The Capabilities
At this stage, we don’t have a timeline for the full scope and sequence, but we will let you know as soon as possible!
With this in mind, we imagine that QBI’s could supplement or replace a specific concept-based sequence or be used as an extension for groups of high-ability students.
This model provides a great deal of flexibility for both teachers and students and we look forward to working closely with teachers in our community, collecting data and feedback. So please do get in touch at support@getmappen.com if you have any questions about the QBI model or suggestions for improvement!
New to MAPPEN?
We’d love to chat with you about your needs and show you how it works. If you’d like a demo or free access to an Exploration Account, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
