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Response to Toni
In my IB training, I learned that authentic student led inquiry means the student has ownership and is more likely to have an enduring understanding. This can open doors to infinite possibilities and a huge sense of responsibility.
FINALLY!
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping us connected Ms. G. the TLC!
ReplyDeleteThanks for setting this up!
ReplyDeleteToni should share with her teachers that it’s really important to allow for students to explore the lines of inquiry on their own so they can develop and answer their own questions. Have faith that the process will support them as they are working toward their own construction of ideas. Letting the students work independantly can give them a huge sense of responsibility and make their learning much more meaningful.
ReplyDeleteI had an "aha" moment when you said, "Have faith that the process will support them". That is the hard part for me.
DeleteThanks for sharing! I definitely agree! Working in groups will also support the needs of the students...collaboration is key!
DeleteModeling for the teachers how to scaffold and make sure the kids will be successful is something she can do. Once the teachers see scaffolding with a lesson they already have written may help them.
ReplyDeleteToni,
ReplyDeleteStudent-led inquiry will enable your students to have memorable learning experiences that will build on their prior learning experiences. It will spark their curiosity and enable them to make connections to real-world experiences. Scaffolding will support your students in their inquiry learning. Keep up the good work!
Scaffolding is so key for this! Toni, You have to start where kids are more supported and then take those supports away as they are ready! You don't have to give away all the teacher-led stuff right away.
DeleteSuggestion for Toni: If there are any teachers that implement student-led inquiry well in their classroom, other teachers could take time to visit these classrooms to see what its looks like and that it is possible with the students at their school.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, we must be confident in our students that they are able to develop their own inquiries with the right scaffolding. I think that discussing with teachers different methods to promote inquiry such as collaboration can spark their interest in believing in their students as well. With differentiation, inquiry can be supportive of differentiating lessons or ideas. When we are teaching, it can be modified for every students needs and students have the opportunity to ask questions. Students also have the opportunity to work with others that have similar interests and can collaborate their ideas on a particular inquiry. This promotes classroom community as well and gives students some ownership in their learning. If we give those students who need extra help that think time and reflection time it will be a big tool to help develop those skills they need to further inquiries on their own.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Andrea's dilemma, I believe parents must embrace that the attributes students can develop if Inquiry is student led, or initiated, supports those attributes we, as parents, want our children to exhibit in real world context in everyday situations throughout their entire lifetimes. Give parents several, specific examples as to how this can work if they become used to using this method. When a child is curious and truly has an authentic purpose to learn something, he or she will take ownership and have buy in.
ReplyDeleteI like how you brought up the importance of the parents understanding these are "real world" skills they will need for college or career.
DeleteAndrea can send home information on inquiry and how it benefits the child. She can have an inquiry section in her parent newsletters. She can also send pictures of her student's projects. She can invite parents in to look at the work and listen to their child explain what they have done.
ReplyDeleteAndrea and Toni, I suggest sharing books and videos of cultures around the world and having your own students talk about their home culture (How they celebrate holidays, what food they eat, who lives in their home,etc). Then compare the differences.
ReplyDeleteMy advice for Toni is to be a risk taker by going out on the limb and beginning her own inquiry based project for the students that she works with. While, working through this inquiry project with her students, Toni should document and keep records of how she planned the project, how she went about supporting her students, and about the overall project itself. Upon the completion of the project, Toni should invite her colleagues to come and view the final result of the inquiry based project that her students have completed. With this evidence and her notes about the project, hopefully she will be able to convince her colleagues to see inquiry the way that she does.
ReplyDeleteI connected with this reading when you said that the teacher can be a risk taker. Not only are students meant to take risks in inquiry but teachers as well so that we can model this inquiry journey for our students!
DeleteSupporting Teachers to support student inquiry (Toni)
ReplyDeleteI would suggest Toni to model for teachers how to become a facilitator of learning. Many times teachers feel that they have to be in control of how the student thinks; however, listening to student thought processes does allow students to experience the freedom of their thought process; but are still able to come to the same learning goal. One of the important aspects from the "Melanie Interview" was to listen and validate student inquiry. When you are working with students, one can provide more or less support in student learning.
For Toni, she could explain the benefits and structure that comes with inquiry integrated into conceptual learning. There are many benefits for both students and teachers through inquiry in action. Both the student and teacher can learn from one another. Toni could also create a mock lesson with the teachers and have them experience this type of lesson for themselves before presuming that it would be too difficult to step outside of what they already know.
ReplyDeleteToni should let her parents know that inquiry based learning gives students more responsibility during the learning experience. When students are allowed to take control of their learning they take ownership of it and are more likely to engage with their content. She could also describe some of the ways that she would scaffold the students inquiries to help them reach mastery of a new concept.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion on student-led inquiry for teachers that may question it: student-led inquiry is very important for growth, not just for growth in school but in real-life situations. They can feel pride in their learning and accomplishments when they have control. Any examples of experiences can be helpful.
ReplyDelete