Inquiry based learning is a push in my province's renewed curriculum documents. The inquiry process is not new but teachers' understanding of inquiry appears vague at best. Most teachers do not seem to actually know what inquiry is yet, everybody thinks they are doing it. I have news that may surprise some of you; you're not really doing inquiry! Out of frustration, I would like to clear a few things up:
1. Asking students to do research on a topic of your choice is not inquiry based learning.
2. Having students do research on a topic of your choice and create a tri-fold board or a power point to present it to the class is not inquiry based learning.
3. Having students re do an experiment that already exists in the exact same way is not inquiry based learning.
4. Asking students to make or build a model, diorama, collage, bookshelf etc. is not inquiry based learning.
5. Interviewing one expert is not inquiry based learning.
5. Giving students long extended time lines does not mean it is inquiry based learning.
What inquiry should be is student centred and authentic. Students are encouraged to wonder and to seek and explore potential solutions to significant, essential questions that impact them as learners and have the potential to be meaningful beyond the classroom, to effect change authentically. An authentic inquiry is not about the product, it is about the process. The purpose of inquiry is to develop the critical skills needed to examine sources for validity and reliability, to consider point of view and perspective, to examine and understand data; what it can represent and how it can be misleading. To synthesize information and to make their own meaning from their sources. To be able to form educated opinions, to justify them and to share them publicly in an appropriate forum with those that will be influenced or have influence over the topic. Inquiry based learning is about developing critical thinking skills and considering complex questions. Not about re-doing what has already been done in the same exact way!
Now, I am not saying that there isn't merit or usefulness in some of the projects you have been doing with your students in your classroom but, there is room to do more, to do differently. There is room to enhance the students' learning experiences by providing them the opportunity to immerse, to wonder, to explore, to analyze, to collaborate, to form opinions, to make decisions and to use what they learn in an authentic, meaningful way that will endure beyond the unit and beyond your classroom. It need not be daunting, there are plenty of wonderful people who can help you on this journey. I would be happy to recommend a few.
Well said Hillary! I share your view about "supposed" inquiry and the use of projects that have everyone recreating exactly the same product. I'm not sure why the concept of real inquiry learning is so hard for teachers to grasp. I think providing real examples and showing them what it "looks like" in action would be better than just talking about it in theory. Most in-services I've had to attend about inquiry have been very theory based which is important, but it is necessary to go to the next step to actually implement inquiry in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Joanna, modeling is definitely key but I wish we had some common language and common global understanding of the concept. Seems like people just hear the word inquiry, figure it means research project, tune out the rest and proceed as always! It kind of drives me bonkers!
ReplyDeleteHi Hillary and Joanna. Such a great conversation. It is good to mention that inquiry based learning is just that - a process of learning - and it can be based in so many experiences, including textual lessons and/ or discourse. It does not need to be hands or project based at all (a common misconception, I believe). Reading passages that challenge students to think, to wonder, and to explore alternative answers, opinions and perspectives is inquiry based learning. Discovering and testing solutions and their impact; not just learning answers, is the critical part. Modelling the process is challenging but you are right - so important. Common language is a good place to start!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!