Multilevel Reflections to Co-Frame Epistemic Objects of Inquiry for Sustained Knowledge Building Over a School Year

• In Event: 34.080 - Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: 34.080-2 - Principles of Cognition and Multimedia Design

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic process by which a Grade 5 knowledge building community continually expanded its collective epistemic structure, represented as shared epistemic objects of inquiry, to support inquiry practices across a whole school year with Knowledge Forum. Qualitative analyses of rich data elaborated the multilevel reflective processes to expand epistemic structure as the inquiry unfolded. These include (a) co-formulating collective wonderings based on individual interests; (b) deep search, framing, and collective mapping of interrelated epistemic objects as the shared focus of the community’s unfolding inquiry; and (c) individual and small-group reflection on specialized inquiry and learning aided by the collective map of objects. Finally, analysis of student interviews helped to understand how epistemic objects mapping supported their inquiry.

Authors

• Dan Tao, University at Albany - SUNY

• Jianwei Zhang, University at Albany - SUNY

• Xiangdong Chen, East China Normal University