Why inquiry based learning?
“We have to stop
delivering the curriculum to kids. We have to start discovering it with them.”
(Richardson)
This statement has stuck with me since reading Will
Richardson’s book Why Schools? Students
need to be prepared for the world after school and simply memorizing facts and
listening to teachers deliver curriculum is not going to motivate and engage students
in their learning. They need “to engage in questioning that provoke
authentic exploration with the characters of academic rigor typical of real
work with real ideas.” (galileo.org) I feel like this is so important in
today’s education system. I see so many
students going through the motions and never experiencing the excitement or
sense of pride in discovering something new.
Inquiry based learning is an approach that can help teachers and
students accomplish this goal and create rich and engaging work.
With the creation of my inquiry based learning website I hope to provide a place that will have explanations, links, resources and videos that are easy to use and access. I want the teachers to easily find what they are looking for and to be inspired to continue their own research.
“Schools ought to be communities where students come to do rich, engaging work–work that inspires, develops insight and stirs the imagination.” (galileo.org)
With this website I intend to provide links, information and sample lessons in the following areas:
- What is Inquiry? Why is it important?
- BCTLA Points of Inquiry
- Inquiry Literacy Skills (Non-fiction reading and writing)
- Inquiry Resources and Links
- Tools for Inquiry
- Assessment rubrics
- New BC Curriculum- to assist teachers in making the transition while looking through the lens of inquiry based learning
Target Audience
Since this website will be the starting point for
introducing inquiry based learning in my school, it is important that this
website is made for teachers. Once they
have an understanding of inquiry based learning then they will be able to
transfer the knowledge to the students.
The main goal of this website is to make the learning process as easy as
possible with practical resources.
In May, the teacher librarians of my school board have a professional day together and will be meeting to discuss inquiry based learning. I plan on sharing this website with them so that they have a bank of resources and information to assist their staff members in exploring this approach.
Now it’s time for me to get to work and start creating!
Works Cited:
Richardson, Will (2012-09-10). Why School?: How Education
Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere (Kindle Single)
(Kindle Locations 414-415). TED Conferences. Kindle Edition.
"Why Inquiry?" Galileo Educational Network. Web.
<http://galileo.org/>.
Well done post! You've done a great job in describing your key goals and the audience that you are building this resource for. I am also super pleased to see you have an opportunity to present this resource in person to your colleagues! This opportunity will help it spread much further and it will be much appreciated! Overall, a good description and discussion of the key rationale for your exciting project.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you will be including lots of great info for the teachers at your school to explore and learn about inquiry. It is great that you are willing to share with the other teacher librarians in your district so they can make use of your project as well. I wonder if there is some way you could include a section for the teachers to ask questions, so that they can engage with and help each other learn about and understand how they can incorporate inquiry into their practice.
ReplyDeleteWow! this is going to include a lot of great information! I love the quote that you started with. It just says it all. It will be a great place for teachers to find some guidance in inquiry based learning. It will give them ways to slowly incorporate this into their teaching practise.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thought as Nicole, will it be a website or a blog? It would be great for it to be interactive, teachers sharing what they think about articles or what they've tried etc. Looks like you've curated some great resources which I might be sharing with my colleagues as well ;)
ReplyDelete