Inquiry+&+Innovation

= Using "AbrahamLincoln Magic" for Inquiry and Innovation  = AbrahamLincoln Magic (ALM), the avatar from SecondLife, is an imaginary character which inspired the creation of two machinima pieces. He also inspired this wikispace. Perhaps you would like to use AbrahamLincoln Magic to inspire research into the historical figure of Abraham Lincoln, or you would like your students to imagine what Lincoln might be like if he were alive today. Below are some ideas about inquiry and innovation to get you started.

Inquiry
Inquiry in education is a student centered method, where meaningful questions are posed by the students themselves. Teachers act as guides in the learning process, asking more questions than providing answers. This type of learning often promotes self-confidence in students, increasing their ability to problem solve. The fictional avatar, AbrhamLincoln Magic, can provide students with a stepping of point for inquiry, encouraging lines of inquiry such as:
 * Who was the real Abraham Lincoln, and what was he like as a man?
 * What character traits did Lincoln posess, and how would those translate into today's society?
 * What did Lincoln have to say about various societal issues, and would he still have the same ideals today?
 * What were Lincoln's most famous speeches, and what were the issues they covered?
 * How are the ideas that Lincoln championed related to issues of today?
 * Your own lines of inquiry...

Innovation
Innovation is the process of doing something entirely new and revolutionary with either processes or thinking. Where inventions are just a way of manifesting ideas, innovation requires application of those inventions. AbrahamLincoln Magic is the invention - and we challenge you to help make him become an innovation. Once aware of the historical figure, Abraham Lincoln, and his stance on various issues, your students can begin to explore "AbrahamLincoln Magic" as the manifestation of what Lincoln might behave like were he alive today. Your students might innovate with ALM by:
 * Writing a letter as ALM, talking to the presidential candidates about their positions on various topics.
 * Taking photographs of ALM in various places, writing stories to describe why he is visiting the particular locations.
 * Using new Web 2.0 tools to showcase knowledge about Abe Lincoln or ALM in new and exciting ways.
 * Creating podcasts or vodcasts: as a historical news reporters, as a contemporaries of Abe Lincoln or ALM, or as ALM himself commenting on modern topics.
 * Your own innovations...

Getting Started
"The AbrahamLincoln Magic Project" is all about collaboration. Just contact the wikispace creators to discuss how you would like to utilize the Wikispace or ALM in your teaching and learning endeavors. Be sure to come back and share your adventures with inquiry and innovation. Have fun!    Camille Nischal, Art Education Program Director, Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA              <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(7, 8, 8)">    Mara Linaberger, Curriculum Specialist, [|Intermediate Unit One], Coal Center, PA