What does it mean to be too teacher-directed in your teaching? I think we all know the answer to that question. Haven't we all been in classroom where the teacher talks way too much? We've have been taught that educators are supposed to be focused on supporting and guiding students in their learning. What does that mean exactly? It means that students are the ones who need to get excited and curious about all aspects of their learning. This type of student engagement begins with getting students to ask questions. The teacher needs to create a safe environment where it's okay to explore. A variety of resources need to be made available for discoveries to be made. While this all seems very obvious, in today's world of teacher accountability and testing, it's can easily be forgotten. Good teachers and administrators recognize that while exploration may look a little "messy," it is the key to being able to apply skills and information.
Why does this matter? How does Inquiry-Based Learning help in the real world? It is helpful in a number of ways. We live in a world where people must be able to adapt to an ever-changing set of challenges and demands. Inquiry-based learning is very useful in teaching students to ask questions, think critically and find solutions. For this reason, it can be very beneficial to students and teachers. We all know how incredibly important 21st Century skills are for workers of all ages these days. Building this skill set should be a critical objective for any teacher. The students of tomorrow will have to be good problem solvers. They'll have to be able to 'think long" about a topic. They'll have to possess good "habits of mind". Furthermore, students are supposed to develop a true love for learning that stems from their experiences in the classroom. By asking questions, and focusing on the "process" of exploration and discovery, students are able to direct their own learning. As a result, the students will be more connected to what is happening in the classroom. If this is true, they will presumably take ownership over their learning and therefore be able to apply more of their learning and skills to new situations.
Right - inquiry is such a natural process for young children, but often schools neglect to really nurture this innate curiosity and love for learning, as you point out.
ReplyDeleteHave you had any inquiry-based learning experiences yourself, as a teacher or student?
Oops! I wasn't quite finished with this blog. I didn't expect that you would get to read it and comment on it so quickly!! Next time I'll be sure to save it as a draft until I finish it!!
ReplyDeleteI have always maintained what I call the "Discovery Zone," in my classroom. It's an area that is filled with a variety of resources. Students are able to conduct their own free exploration in this "Discovery Zone." It also includes all sorts of challenges and Brain Teasers to stimulate critical thinking skills. My favorite subject to teach is science because most science curricula is already inquiry-based and aligned with the state standards. Recently, most of my professional development has been centered on Inquiry-Based learning. The school that I worked at in Greenwich is currently transitioning into an International Baccalaureate school. I worked a great deal on adaptating our curriculum which was already aligned with the state standards to the IB standards.
I love your "Discovery Zone" concept! And it's so great to hear that you have experienced PD in this area. Thanks for sharing (and no worries on posting a draft, I like to check out everyone's blogs whenever I have the time, so feel free to post new & revise whenever!).
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to post the address of your website so I can view it, thanks.
ReplyDelete