Inquiry Learningat BBI

What is Social Science?

Why teach Social Science?

What is Inquiry?

“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

Why use an Inquiry approach?

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.

The project based tradition in our schools is the killer of thought.” Jamie McKenzie

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

When students have ownership

over the process their learning becomes a

meaningful experience.

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

It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.

Eugène Ionesco

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 students at BBI to learn?

Suddenly knowledge is available to anyone who can

spell GoogleMark Treadwell

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

21s t Cen tur y S ki lls

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.

Process

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