3. The Inquiry Focus

This is very much a general objective statement that drives teaching and learning.  The focus may be very specific or more generally formulated to allow wider inquiry or facilitate investigation by small groups or individual students which can be collated in preparation for the final product.

Examples of inquiry focus statements might include:

  • To investigate the fat content in locally produced milk
  • To inquire into the way meat is processed in our country
  • To expore the nutritional value in our national dish
  • To understand origins of our national dish
  • To investigate the mineral content in our favourite breakfast cereals.

The possibilities for developing an inquiry focus are endless and teachers should therefore consider what would be of most relevence for students and what sort of inquiry is most likely to motivate them.  It might be best to agree on one or more objectives with students in order to give them a sense of ownership in their learning and thus enhance engagement.