Inquiry Learning Forum

Inquiry Learning Forum (ILF) is a project that involves the design and evaluation of the salient features of an electronic knowledge network, the Inquiry Learning Forum (ILF), to support a virtual community of in-service and pre-service mathematics and science teachers sharing, improving, and creating inquiry based pedagogical practices. Founded in our previous research and consistent with our pedagogical commitment, we are designing the ILF around a "visiting the classroom" metaphor, with the belief that teachers need to be full participants in and owners of their virtual space. The hallmark of this environment is that teachers with a broad range of experience and expertise will come together in a virtual space to observe, discuss, and reflect upon pedagogical theory and practice anchored to actual teaching vignettes.

Our focus is to provide a means for teachers to improve their practice while situated in the real world of their current or future classroom. We envision a community in which teachers can virtually visit each other's classrooms to observe and discuss approaches to teaching mathematics and science topics and to share artifacts. The ILF is a resource to support continuous professional development. We seek to support a sharing among community members at all stages of skill development ? from master teachers to teachers in training. Even in the case of the more experienced teachers sharing their practice, the goal is not to present a practice to emulate, but rather to provide a vehicle for discussing the practice and advancing the community as well as individual understanding. Through observation, discussion, and reflection, each participant can find his or her own path to continuous professional growth and development.

Inquiry Learning Forum is funded by: