What makes a topic a good candidate for inquiry?
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nAgain, thanks to John Dewey
nIs there anything more than just a “problem to be solved?”
nDoes the question naturally suggest itself within some situation or personal experience and encourage the learner beyond the school room?
nIs it the student’s own line of questioning, emergent from new materials, situations, and experiences?
nDoes the question lead to observation, experimentation, and (by definition) critical thinking?
nDoes the student care about the question?  Is there some investment?
nDoes the question connect to the community in which the learner lives?
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Avoid:
--A “problem for problem’s sake” or “busy work” where the purpose is to convey instruction in some topic. –A  textbook or “created” question created for the learner for an extrinsic award? (A grade, for example)