What is the Probe Method?

I created the Probe Method during the 1990s as a constructivist, problem-based learning (PBL) and cooperative learning model using technology.  The idea is that students are asked to take any topic, question, and/or problem and thoroughly investigate (probe) it.  Students work in small and/or larger groups and they sometimes work individually, but they use technology to help them investigate the topic, question, or problem, and they go deeper and deeper into their investigations, not just finding a few facts.  They make summaries of their findings and they share their information and ideas coming from the investigations.  They continue to work in small and larger groups to find out how and why and they look for deeper understanding and insight. 

For instance, students want to know why there is so much racism in America.  Racism is a topic.  Why does racism exist is a question.  How can we get rid of racism is a problem.  Students begin to work together to understand and help solve the problem of racism as a Probe Method project.  Students would normally be told to read an article or two on racism and maybe see a video on the topic and then they are asked to write a report on what they have learned and maybe their opinion in their paper.  But in the Probe Method students continue to do more and more readings and they ask more questions and do more reading and ask more questions.  You could expand the inquiry into many disciplines and into very heavy scientific and philosophical questions.

I'll write more about the Probe Method later.