Over the past two weeks, I feel as though my eyes have really been opened to what inquiry based learning is all about. I had no idea there were different "styles" of inquiry based learning, with regard to teacher involvement. I had assumed there was one tried and tried method with one set of "directions," but I was definitely wrong!
When I had just started off learning about this type of instruction, I have to admit that I was nervous about implementing IBL in my own classroom. I foresaw chaos and a lack of direction and students not meeting the desired outcome or objectives of the learning experience. However, now I realize the different types of IBL (teacher-directed, teacher-student balanced, and student-initiated) can help serve different populations of students to ensure learning objectives are, indeed, met.
One type may be more appropriate for a class than the others, depending on age/grade level, level of experience with IBL, classroom dynamics, etc. If I were to implement IBL with my 6th grade class, I would probably start off using a more teacher-directed approach in the beginning, just until my students became accustomed to this very different style of learning. As they become more comfortable and confident in allowing inquiry to guide their learning, I'd step back gradually until it was more student-initiated.
Inquiry based learning doesn't mean simply letting students do whatever they want. There is purpose and direction there, but the students have more control over the path that leads them to understanding. Instead of being told to sit down, be quiet, and listen, students are now put in the driver's seat and allowed to rely on their natural curiosity. Anyone who's ever spent any amount of time around a child knows how often children ask questions. So, wouldn't it make sense to allow children to do just that in the classroom? Asking questions is a natural way for children to learn. It's quite refreshing to think about letting children to be children and allowing them to tap into their inquisitive nature
As I move forward in my journey to learning more about inquiry based learning, I'm interested in learning more about the pedagogy behind it. What are some effective questioning techniques for teacher-led or teacher-student balanced instruction? How do I ensure that my students are, in fact, meeting the learning objectives and mastering both content and skills when they have so much control of what is happening in the classroom through inquiry based learning?
No comments:
Post a Comment