Upload
jillian-bernard
View
20
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Inquiry Learning at BBI. What is Social Science?. Why teach Social Science?. What is Inquiry?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
“We teachers and others are in the grip of an astonishing delusion. We think we can take a picture, a structure, a working model of something constructed in our minds out of long experience and familiarity, and by turning it into a string of words or actions, transplant it whole into the mind of someone else…” (John Holt, in Sotto q.v.)
What is Inquiry?
Inquiry is based on John Dewey's philosophy that
education begins with the curiosity of the learner.
Inquiry uses a spiral path. Each step leads to the next:
Inquiry is learning that…
• involves exploring the world• asks questions • makes discoveries• rigorously tests those
discoveries in the search for new understanding and knowledge
Memorizing information is not the most important skill in today's world.
Information is readily available and can be copied!
We need an understanding of how to find, make sense of, and use relevant information for specific purposes.
Knowledge is now a process not a thing ‘Action is the proper fruit of knowledge’
Thomas Fuller
Why?
We want our students to engaged in authentic and interesting learning
experiences.
We want them to create knowledge and understanding for themselves
We want them to think!
Inquiry Learning
• revises prior understandings and deepens our understanding of the world
• develops observation, collaboration, reasoning and critical thinking skills
• motivates
• generates change
Inquiry Learning
Real understanding, real knowledge comes through making connections between existing knowledge, new information and hands on application.
Application should involve problem solving that is real or near real.
In the past knowledge scarce society:In the absence of adequate information resources (students) were limited to generic low-level common thematic questions such as space, dinosaurs, the undersea world, the weather etc., the relevant resources being freely available in libraries.
In today’s knowledge rich society:
..topics such as "space" become redundant, while questions such as "compare and contrast video footage from the earth and Mars and identify two significant similarities and differences. Using one of the differences which you have identified hypothesise as to why life is so prevalent on earth but appears to be almost non-existent on Mars”, become viable.
Mark Treadwell - The Perfect (Education) Storm
Inquiry should
• Centre around an area of passion - for the teacher and/or student
• Be student directed - including student involvement in planning
• Facilitate change• Initiate social action
Because inquiry begins with a meaningful problem or issue, the process engages students as they come to value the driving questions that motivate their inquiry process
Not all students learn in the same way
• How you perceive information
• How you process information
• How you organise and present information
A learning style has three main aspects
• Inquiry learning is difficult to do well.
• Inquiry learning, done well, will require changes to classroom practice, school structures and procedures, school resources, and classroom programmes.
The knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students need for addressing real-life issues and in real-life contexts are seldom found within a single learning area.
Draft Curriculum Framework MOE 2006
What is important for our students to learn?
• reasoning• critical thinking• the ability to justify or refute our
existing knowledge• problem solving• communication skills
Learning to Learn Skills• Goal setting• Organisation and time
management• Tracking and asking for
assistance• Self and peer evaluation
Research Skills
• Questioning skills• Key words (Identifying and using)• Searching the Internet• Using contents page and index
• Using websites• Skimming and scanning and reading for detail• Taking notes• Using thinking maps• Citing references
Presenting Skills• Use of ICT• Use of software• Layout and design• Vocabulary studies• Listening• Speaking• Public speaking• Discussion
Digital Age Literacy:Digital Age Literacy:Basic, Scientific and Technological Literacy
Visual and Information Literacy
Cultural Literacy and Global Awareness
Inventive Thinking:Inventive Thinking: Adaptability and Managing Complexity
Curiosity, Creativity and Risk Taking
Higher Order Thinking and Sound Reasoning
Effective Communication:Effective Communication:
Teaming, Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills
Personal and Social Responsibility
Interactive Communication
High Productivity:High Productivity:Prioritising, Planning and Managing Results
Effective Use of Real World Tools
High Quality, Meaningful Results
21 st Cen
tury S
kills
21 st Cen
tury S
kills
Inquiry learning is just a philosophy … unless the teacher provides structure, scaffolding and teaches the skills the student requires to achieve success.
Scaffolding and support
The teacher becomes a partner in the experiences and takes the vital role of a role model of quality learning.