Why do we need to change our curriculum delivery?

1. Why do we need to change our curriculum delivery? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related

2. ‘Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand!’

3. What is inquiry based learning?

4. Inquiry is defined as: ‘seeking for truth, information, or knowledge.’ In a general sense we define inquiry based learning as a process where: • Students formulate investigative questions, • Obtain factual information, and • Then build knowledge that ultimately reflects an answer to the original question.

5. Embedded within the inquiry based process are numerous process and thinking skills that make this type of learning a rich and meaningful experience for students.

6. Inquiry is a study into a worthy question, issue, problem or idea. • It is the authentic, real work that that someone in the community might tackle..

7. So how is inquiry based learning different from traditional approaches?

8. In the traditional framework: • The current system of education is teacher centered, with the teacher focused on giving out information about "what is known." • Students are the receivers of information, and the teacher is the dispenser. • Much of the assessment of the learner is focused on the importance of "one right answer."

9. Traditional classrooms tend to be closed systems where information is filtered through layers to students. In general, the use of resources is limited to what is available in the classroom or within the school. • Use of technology is focused on learning about the technology rather than its application to enhanced learning. • Lesson plans are used to organize the various steps in the learning process for the whole-class approach. On-target questions that would tend to cause deviations from the plan are met with, "We will get to that later."

10. In contrast: • Inquiry based learning projects are driven by students • Teachers act more as coaches, guides and facilitators who help learners arrive at their ‘true’ questions - the things they really care about.

11. The inquiry approach is more focused on using and learning content as a means to develop information-processing and problem-solving skills. • The system is more student centered, with the teacher as a facilitator of learning. There is more emphasis on "how we come to know" and less on "what we know.

12. Students are more involved in the construction of knowledge through active involvement. • The more interested and engaged students are by a subject or project, the easier it will be for them to construct in-depth knowledge of it. • Learning becomes almost effortless when something fascinates students and reflects their interests and goals.

13. Perhaps a good way to summarize the important difference between traditional learning and inquiry learning is: Traditional learning focuses more on LEARNING ABOUT THINGS, while inquiry learning focuses more on LEARNING THINGS!

14. Asking questions is at the heart of inquiry-based learning The goal is not to ask just any questions, of course, but ones that deepen children’s thinking. Your role is to guide the kids in finding the answers themselves and encourage them to ask new questions along the way.

15. When students choose the questions, they are motivated to learn and they develop a sense of ownership about the project.

16. However effective inquiry is more than just asking questions: • A complex process is involved when individuals attempt to convert information and data into useful knowledge.

17. Well-designed inquiry learning produces knowledge formation that can be widely applied. • What use is information if it doesn’t have relevance or you can not use it in other situations?

18. The importance of inquiry • Memorizing facts and information is not the most important skill in today’s world. • Facts change, and information is readily available • What is needed is an understanding of how to get and make sense of the mass of data.

19. Inquiry is not so much seeking the right answer - because of course there is none But rather seeking appropriate resolutions to questions and issues - asking and answering other questions that help answer the ‘big question’ that comes from an issue.

20. For us as educators, inquiry implies: • Emphasis on the development of inquiry skills • Nurturing the inquiring attitudes necessary to continue the generation and examination of knowledge throughout their lives

21. For modern education, the skills and the ability to continue learning should be the most important outcomes. • i

22. So how does this fit with our curriculum? • Content of disciplines is still very important, but as a means to an end, not as an end itself. • The knowledge base for disciplines is constantly expanding and changing • No one can ever learn everything , but everyone can better develop their skills and nurture the inquiring attitude

23. What does inquiry based learning look like? • http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7d5f05dc88a0be36950c

24. Inquiry based learning is particularly well suited to collaborative learning environments and team projects. • - entire classes can work on a single question as group -directed inquiry (just be sure that the whole group truly cares about the question) • - teams working on the same essential question but researching different subsidary questions - guided inquiry • - or small groups/individuals working on their own questions - pure inquiry

25. An inquiry based approach can work with any age group • Even though older students will be able to pursue much more sophisticated questioning and research projects, build a spirit of inquiry into activities wherever you can, even with the youngest, in an age appropriate manner.

26. Students view themselves as learners in the process of learning • They look forward to learning- ownership • They want to learn more • They seek to collaborate and work cooperatively with teachers and peers • They are more confident in learning- willing to modify ideas,take calculated risks and display appropriate skepticism.

27. They ask questions, propose explanations and use observations • They plan and carry out learning activities • They sort out information and decide what’s important They communicate using the language of learning using a variety of methods They critique their learning practices and assess their own work They reflect on their learning with their teacher and their peers.

28. The teacher’s role: • Plan for each learner to be actively engaged in the learning process • Understand the necessary skills, knowledge, and thinking skills needed for inquiry learning • Understand and plan ways to encourage and enable the learner to take increasing responsibility for his/her learning

29. Is prepared for unexpected questions or suggestions from the learner • Prepares the classroom environment with the necessary learning tools, materials and resources for active involvement of the learner.

30. Ultimately • The importance of inquiry learning is that students learn how to continue learning

31. This is something they can take with them throughout life- beyond parental help and security, beyond a textbook, beyond the time of a teacher, beyond school, to a time when they will often be alone in their learning.

32. Bibliography • www.youthlearn.org • www.biopoint.com • Concept to Classroom.

33. http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0393992c9d4db0c6bbe4http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0393992c9d4db0c6bbe4