Inquiry+Model

=The Cyclic Inquiry Model= By: Christopher Bednarz As per: [|Wikipedia] This Model is:



=Q: But Why use this model?= A: The Cyclic Inquiry Model is used because it allows a systematic way of posing real world questions, finding information, and coming up with new ideas. These new ideas are aimed at looking at problems differently and have an "outside looking in" perspective. Once the new idea is created, it can be discussed among others to gain additional feedback and fine tune the ideas. Finally with all the gathered information they need to be reflected to the questions first asked. Did it really answer the original problem? Do the results give additional questions? Then the cycle is started again. At the end it becomes self perpetual, meaning, once the cycle is followed it can continue to run itself.

=About Ask= The asking phase of your projects was used to come up with real world problems and asking yourselves how can we use robotics (or the SCORBOT) to solve the problem. In some cases it maybe to create a greater efficiency by replacing a human worker. Sometimes it is used for safety, to prevent someone from becoming hurt, or can it make a human's job easier? Do humans not want to do the job (Redundancy/Safety). =Robots cannot simply take a human job!= It must have some reason for it, this will be used to help your Ask phase. =Investigate= This phase is where you collect information! For a lot of you this was included in your background phase of your proposal. This is where you look to see how others solved the problem in the past. You can always learn from others and make it better! The internet is the most powerful tool of information in the world, but use it wisely because it is also the most abused. Videos on youtube.com are useful as well as search engines through google. =Remember You Will Need To Reference These Sites On Your Report!!!= Make sure you remember the url's of the websites so you can come back later.Also at your current phase you need to continue to investigate you still another week before your action plan truly begins. Some of you still do not have a complete plan, so more investigation is needed!

=Create= This is the beginning of your proposal! You have already started to create your project by becoming on the designs in your description! Add Sketches for the workcell layout, talk about the materials that are going to be used and how they will be used. Continue to document about HOW you created things as you build them, that way the write up becomes much easier. This is the longest phase for Engineering Projects because creation is very abstract and time consuming.

=Discuss= As you are building new ideas start telling other members and staff about how you are building things, were they done correctly, can they be better? Discussions will naturally lead to more questions from other groups but its about taking your ideas and making them better, do not slack on this department.

=Reflect= The last phase brings everything full circle. Did the project answer the original question? If it did not, did the question change along the way, and how so? What could have been done differently, and also what new questions does this bring to the table. Sometimes when searching for answers there are more questions and then you return to the Ask Phase all over again!

=NOTE= Take the time to go over every part of the cycle, this is not about memorization. There is a reason for this model and it will help make your project successful and a solid, sound, project as well. You all have the resources out there to get help now use it. On your Wiki explain how you are going to use the cyclic model and if you struggle that's ok, ask others, and us.