Working with a scenario using the FISh model*

*These guidelines is based on the FISh model, and has been further delevoped with some items from: O'Grady, Yew, Goh, Schmidt. (2012) One-day, one-problem - An approach to Problem-based Learning

During the second week of the course, you will start working with a scenario using the FISh
model. You will then need to allocate some time for discussion about how you understand
the model and how you can use it.

In brief, FISh is a model created for PBL group inquiry, a simplified version of the problem-
solving model often used in Inquiry- and Problem-Based Learning. There is nothing fishy
about it – it is really quite straightforward when you think about it as a model for how to
“solve” problems.

The aim with FISh is to provide a model for online collaborative inquiry that mirrors a
research process. It is a suggestion for how to work in your PBL group – try it a few times,
modify to taste, and try something different if you do not like it. The model contains three
main steps, followed by a step with reflection. There is a simple FISh template for your
collaborative work, that you can copy and use for each topic. Below you have some sample
question to guide the inquiry process:

Focus

How do you perceive the scenario; reflections/questions that arise?
- What do you see?
- What do you already know?
- Previous experiences etc.
- What do you want to find out more about? Specify a few questions for investigation.

You could use a table for this, example:

What we see and what we know (based on our prior knowledge and by observing the content of the scenario)	What we don't know (What are the questions in our minds when we think about the scenrio?)	What we need to find out (What are the specific areas which we think are important to examine to help us solve our questions?)

From: O'Grady et al. Download Excel template

Investigate

Discuss ideas about where to go for answers to your questions.
Decide on how to proceed individually and as a group.
Individually study the suggested resources and/or do your own search and summarize your findings

Share in the group

Share your learning progress and strategy of understanding (added from O'Grady et al)
Share and discuss answers/findings you have found interesting

Share with the HEDS community

Discuss what you want to share with the other groups and how to present it
Choose a format/tool for presenting your work*
Share your presentation via Submit PBL group work in your PBL group community and also in the HEDS community space
Discuss how can you provide critical forward-moving feedback to the other groups
Read feedback from other groups on your presentation

*Format could be presentations, role plays, debates, posters, reports and other.

Reflect

How did you experience your group work? Feelings?
What went well?
What would you like to do differently in your work ahead?

Here you can use another table:

	Questions	Reflection results
Content	Did we achieve the intended learning outcomes?
Working method	Did we work according to the steps for the FISh model? Did we get stuck anywhere in the process?
Group dynamics	Looking back at the collaborative learning contract, did we follow what we decided? Should we adjust anything in the contract or in the way we are working together?
Metacognition	How did I/we learn? How does my/our prior knowledge affect the learning? How is my/our motivation?

Download Excel template