Inquiry

Inquiry

 

Inquiry is an active approach to learning that develops students ability to understand their world as well as the skills necessary to be independent learners.

 

Inquiry learning is not restricted to a specific subject area, but is the how that underpins all subjects.  Students are encouraged to initiate their own topics or areas that they are interested in learning more about by posing wonderings or questions they have about a topic.  Because students have chosen an aspect they are interested in, they are highly motivated to find out about it.   The poster below shows the 6 stage Inquiry cycle that students go through when investigating their own Inquiry.

 

Students have begun working with new class mates to discover each others interests and the new learning environment they are in.  Friendships and knowledge about each other and their surroundings is a great foundation for future Inquiry Learning as students need to feel confident and safe to explore their wonderings.  These photos show some of the activities students have been exploring during the first 2 weeks of school.

 

 

In Inquiry Learning, students take the lead and the teacher's role is to support students in their inquiry by helping students to refine their thinking with questions that enable students to work out what they need to do next.  Another  part of the teacher's role is to have a wide range of resources that students can independently choose and use in their learning.

 

Teachers at LNPS have had extensive Professional Development in the Inquiry Learning approach which has been developed by Australian educator Kath Murdoch.  Please take the time to look at this 3.13 minute video where Kath Murdoch explains what Inquiry Learning is.