C. Stage 2 – Defining the objective of study: the leading question
The first stage raises questions that lead to the group’s subsequent activities. Collecting data and putting together the questions of the previous phase will help students form groups of 3 to 5 around common interests and personal affinities. Teachers must be particularly attentive during the group formation to ensure the optimum combination of students with respect to students’ personalities, wishes, etc. The leading question about the river should focus on local sustainable development within a global context.
- One or more characters, «actors» in the sense of acting and participating)
- A defined context (of time, location…);
- A question that is not easily answered and needs interdisciplinary concepts
It is a question that allows choices, concerns an environnemental issue without a unique solution, and integrates the dimension of time. Examples of leading questions (to be reformulated depending on the students’level) are: How do fishermen of our municipality contribute to the welfare of our river in the preservation of our food health and in the pursuit of their leisure activity? How do the constructors of our housing estate ensure that they do not deteriorate the quality of our river now and in the future?
 |