Wishing

Dr. Lamb says of wishing: “Wishing is assessing, evaluating, and reflecting on the process and product. Students begin thinking about how the project went and consider possibilities for the future. Students have the opportunity to reflect on their project and express their desires for the future.”

Project Assessment

As I look over what I’ve put together on this topic, I am both satisfied and dissatisfied at the same time. I’m satisfied that I was able to, in a very small way, substantiate the original Kokomo Tribune claim that Miamis once live on the land currently occupied by Derbyshire subdivision. I learned a great deal about the area and its history—information I did not know before.

However, I am not satisfied with the quantity of information I found on the Miami settlement that was once, supposedly located here. I have yet to hear back from the historian at the Kokomo Library, and if I don’t hear back in a couple more weeks, I plan to follow up on that.

I would have liked to find out where these historians are getting their information. One thing I noticed is that both the Tribune article, and the various articles for the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, failed to mention their sources. I thought this was important to both, as it lends credibility, and also allows others to follow up on the information as they desire. I’m a librarian, after all, and a bibliography of sources seems like it should have been required. Not so, apparently. While I am sure the information came from somewhere credible—the library, most likely—it would have given me much more confidence in the researchers if they had documented this information with their work.

I do plan to continue looking into this, as time permits. I think this is a fascinating topic.

Project Reflection

Boy, can I reflect on this! First of all, this was more fun that I anticipated, but also, and I stress this, much more work. I am very glad I did not wait to start this, or I would not have had time to read through all the resources, and decide, at my leisure, which sites I liked, and which I didn’t. I wouldn’t have had time to find the photo/painting sites, as those were particularly difficult to ferret out. I’ve never been one to procrastinate, and I’m glad I didn’t start now. The project would not have been nearly as enjoyable for me, and I suspect it wouldn’t have been as enjoyable for my audience either. Pursuing this type of inquiry is not something you really want to rush, I believe. Sifting and wondering and organizing and publishing—this all takes time. Perhaps this is why more classroom activities are guided, or controlled. Free inquiry, while fun, can be daunting in how much “stuff” you have to wade through.

Citation

Lamb, Annette. Inquiry: The 8Ws: Wishing.

http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/wishing.htm