Inquiry-based learning

If you haven’t come across the idea of inquiry-based learning (IBL) yet, you probably soon will! It is a self-directed way to learn, study and collaborate, working to proactively discover and reflect, rather than passively absorb information that is given to you. More information about the concept can be found here.
For a student perspective from the University of Manchester on IBL and some practical tips on how you can take part, click here.

The University has a Centre for Inquiry-based Learning in the Arts and Social Sciences (CILASS) which works with departments to support and develop IBL in teaching practices. Student input and involvement is a key element – each department has a Student Ambassador and there is a CILASS Student Blog and CILASS Student Journal. Details of the English Department’s involvement with CILASS can be found here.

The Library works with CILASS to develop student’s Information Literacy skills. Information Literacy is key to enabling you to engage with IBL. You need the skills to look beyond your reading list, to locate and evaluate sources of information and carry out independent research – the English subject guides and the Arts & Humanities Finding Information Guide are good starting points.
The Library has developed a set of Information Skills Tutorials accessible through MOLE. There are general tutorials on topics such as effective searching of the internet and evaluating information. There are also English specific tutorials. Have a go at the Internet for English tutorial produced by the Intute Virtual Training Suite too.

As a student you are part of an academic community in your discipline, and this is another aspect of IBL – get involved! Discussion and the exchange of ideas are key, not just with your immediate peers here at Sheffield, but with academics and students from other institutions. Try searching for blogs and discussion boards about topics of particular interest to you. The English Subject Centre for instance has online discussion boards and email lists and the Postgraduate English page has a journal and forum for postgrads. The Script Circle is worth a look for any budding playwrights. Or if you are studying Shakespeare, try SHAKSPER - The Global Electronic Shakespeare Conference.  JISCmail lists for Literature  and Linguistics are particularly valuable when you are thinking about your dissertation.

If you come across any websites you find useful, post the link as a comment on here to share your discoveries with other students and let us know why you found it helpful.