An Example When Used As Training Software to Support a Study Program

We assume here that you have a basic understanding of the jargon related to grid - terms like construct, element, laddering and rating. The tutorial material supplied with Enquire Within provides detailed information about the processes involved in the repertory grid interview, what the terminology means and how grid is used. Nevertheless a reading of this article will outline some of the possibilities and, if these excite you, you can obtain an evaluation copy of Enquire Within here.

The Training Subject Matter

For the purpose of the repertory grid interview and to focus the exploration, Enquire Within provides for three classes of information to be provided which will guide the presentation of the compare and contrast questions used to determine the constructs. So, amplifying the subject matter we wish to explore, we determine:

• A purpose: to explore my understanding of characters in English literature
• An element class: characters in English literature
• Qualifiers: for this example in terms of their character, and in terms of what I like or dislike about them. You could just as easily use other in terms of statements depending on what it is you are wanting to explore.

This very clearly delineates the subject, the scope of exploration and what aspects of the subject you are exploring.

Selecting the Characters (Elements)

Determine the names of at least six and up to ten characters in English literature with whom you are reasonably familiar. If you are assessing your knowledge gained from a course, say, you may like to restrict yourself to characters from an author where you have in-depth knowledge gained from that course. Alternatively, if you are wanting to extend your knowledge you might like to choose characters that you have limited knowledge of to challenge yourself and provide leads for research and development of your knowledge.

Generating Constructs

Having determined all the resources you need to start exploring your perceptions of your chosen characters you are ready for construct development.

Enquire Within generates the magic question (as an example using Shakespearian characters) Considering Launcelot Gobbo, Jaques and Sir John Coleville, think of something that two of them have in common that makes them different from the third in terms of their character (or in terms of what I like or dislike about them). Your answer to that question and other similar questions provides your constructs.

Enquire Within provides for:

• changing the order of presentation of element sets (character sets) so that different two against one comparisons are made;
• changing the elements (characters);
• changing the qualifier (the in terms of question) to change the focus;
• selecting your own element set from those you have entered;
• providing you with a new set of elements to consider;
• reminding yourself of your purpose to maintain focus.

Thus the subject material is presented in many different ways to prompt for similarities and differences and thus your construct system related to the domain of exploration.

You can go on working through the subject matter adding constructs by changing the element sets and by laddering. When you have a number of constructs you can then rate each of your elements on the constructs and produce an analysis of what you have done so far. That will provide an opportunity to look for inconsistencies and gaps in your knowledge through a differentiation process. That is part of an iterative process that can take you as far as you wish to go.

When you have reached the limit of your current knowledge (or before, if you wish) it is time to do some research to fill in some gaps by looking up your reference material or searching the web.

What Has Been Achieved?

Enquire Within here is first, a test of your knowledge and perceptions of the subject matter, and secondly, a process for extending this knowledge at its limits. The process helps you look inside yourself for what you already know, firstly through the compare and contrast process, and then through the differentiation process where it poses questions like:

• There must be more differences between Launcelot Gobbo and Jaques than I’ve identified so far, or
• So far I've identified only things I like about Jaques - what are some of the things I don't like?

With Enquire Within you have gone beyond collection and memorizing facts. You have gone up a level into analysis and developing a frame of reference for judging the subject matter. Becoming aware of one’s frame of reference along with developing and testing it is a major feature of this application of grid and is an important skill for learning. One of the most significant tasks for education professionals, rather than teach the knowledge of facts or procedures is to develop in their pupils the skills of learning-to-learn, navigation, and intuition.

Since we cannot know what knowledge will be most needed in the future, it is senseless to try to teach it in advance. Instead, we should try to turn out people who love learning so much and learn so well that they will be able to learn whatever needs to be learned. - John Holt

How You Could Use It In Teaching

Taking the example of, knowledge of characters in literature further you could set up permanent sessions of Enquire Within for each of your English literature students to cover each important area of study. As their study progressed they could add to the number of elements and constructs as their learning developed. They would be getting instant feedback on the growth in their understanding and you would have a tool to follow their development and to intervene when necessary with suggestions for research or some additional characters or constructs.

Additional interventions might be:

• Suggest the addition of characters from a new play into an existing grid;
• Suggest students look for major themes emerging from the constructs and reflect on those;
• Suggest that students compare the themes they have identified;
• Suggest a construct such as one related to how the characters learn from experience or understand others;
• Suggest the addition of an ideal element - perhaps the character I’d most like to read about and compare with the other characters in the grid; and
• Set an assignment related to writing about a character with all of the characteristics of the ideal element.

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Related Resource

• Training Support Network

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