Methods of Inquiry - GSE 155

Students who take Methods of Inquiry learn to

  • Predict exam questions
  • Think clearly and critically
  • Improve their understanding and grades
  • Respond meaningfully to class content and assignments

Course Documents

Sample syllabus
Grading policy

Facts

More than 90% of students would recommend Methods of Inquiry to others. A retention study found that students who took this course had a 6% higher retention rate to graduation within five years. The table below shows the percentage of recent students who improved their GPA during the MOI semester:

Previous Semester GPA % of students who improved GPA by whole letter range
D-F range 86%
C range 55%
B range 11%

Student Comments

"I enjoy this class very much and find its material very interesting."

"This class has been very helpful. I have been doing a lot better on my tests and quizzes..."

"I enjoy this course because the information helps to organize course work and to think more."

"This course seems to be something I think everyone should take."

Class Description

The Methods of Inquiry course is all about thinking. Blending insights from cognitive psychology and philosophy, the course offers students concrete ways to approach their studies by helping them become actively involved in their own learning process. All activities in the course explore the theoretical foundations of effective learning. The main emphasis of the course, however, is the development of methods to assure comprehensive learning and provide for accurate assessment of what is indeed learned. These methods, in turn, lead to an understanding that is necessary for clear critical thinking based upon good reasons.Students taking Methods of Inquiry meet twice a week for lecture and have a weekly individual meeting with a peer monitor for their third class contact hour. During lecture, students are exposed to theories, strategies, and techniques which they then apply to their other course work through assignments with specified criteria. At the weekly monitor meetings, students and monitors work together to assess how well a student’s efforts meet the criteria. The goal of this approach is that after a semester of carefully monitored self-assessment, students will be able to judge for themselves how well they meet the criteria of an assignment.

A unique facet of the Methods of Inquiry course is that it grounds itself in the philosophy of mastery learning. Mastery learning is the recognition that it takes students different amounts of time to understand course material and master assignments. As a result, students practice skills taught in class on a weekly basis until they perfect them. One goal of this approach is to reward effort as well as ability.

In the end, students in Methods of Inquiry strive to take control of their academic and personal lives, writing for themselves a winning script, a script that reflects understanding, careful thought, and sound judgment.

Contact Information

Director
Kelly Ahuna, Ph.D.
(716) 645-3448
kha@buffalo.edu

Associate Director
Christine Gray Tinnesz, Ph.D.
(716) 645-3448
B30 Lockwood Library
Phone: (716) 645-3448
Fax: (716) 645-5986
cmgray@buffalo.edu