ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes and provides examples of IBL. It identifies and describes the preparatory tasks that need to be planned and organized before teachers and students begin any IBL opportunities. The book focuses on formative assessment strategies and tools for student-teacher goal setting and assessment criteria, class record-keeping, status checks, conferences, formative assessment, evidence gathering options, student self-evaluation, and feedback. It offers tools and processes for focusing students’ interests into manageable and researchable inquiry questions or goal statements. The book provides strategies and tools for selecting appropriate student inquiry products, should they be pursued. It helps educators and students select appropriate and manageable audiences, beyond the classroom teacher, for student research. The book provides reflective questions that can be used to assess the overall effectiveness of the IBL initiative, as well as suggestions for celebrating successes along the way.
