Such a brilliant lesson with 1st Form today! We have been introducing the year group to "FOSIL", which is Oakham School's framework for guiding student's independent research. Today I saw the first fruits and the start of something really special. Basically, FOSIL breaks up the research process from the initial point of connecting with a topic or question by thinking about what is already known, then wondering and raising smaller questions that will guide the research process. This is then followed by investigating using different resources and at that point reaching a logical conclusion based on this research. This is then followed by presenting the research and conclusion (whether through essays or presentations) and finally a reflection on how it has all gone, and where you could go to next. When we talk about LHO (Learning Habits at Oakham) this is it in its purest form. It both teaches students the skills they need and then expects them to practise them until they will become second nature.
I am quite determined that these students will all be able to meaningfully investigate information and critically think about it so that when they do reach exam-age (and beyond), they will not want to be spoon-fed answers, but will have been encouraged to take themselves seriously as a learner and have automatically high expectations of the leading part that they should have in their learning.
I have been trying it out recently with the lovely 1G, looking at the question: "Is following the Eightfold Path (Buddhism) the best way to live your life?". We have worked through the stages and the students have wowed me with their ability to think up interesting questions and intelligently pursue answers through using both print and Internet resources.
Initially some had the habitual "rush to the powerpoint", but after some talking through and guiding from me, I am seeing far more noting and discussion of information prior to actually jumping to an uninformed conclusion, sadly something seen too much in most schools, and in society. These students, through really applying themselves and living up to the high expectations of taking a lead in their own learning are developing crucial tools to not only achieve excellent academic grades, but more importantly (in my view) be able to follow their interests and become genuinely knowledgable about whatever they choose to investigate. What a great way to spend a Tuesday afternoon!
