miranda

[|Best Practices: Instructional Strategies & Techniques - Inquiry Learning] - This is a Central iSchool site designed in collaboration with Regina Public Schools & Sask. Learning and is part of the larger //Best Practices: Pieces of the Puzzle// website - This site provides a description and the process of inquiry learning within the classroom, grade-level examples, and assessment ideas

[|Inquiry Learning - Sask. Learning] - This site is from the Saskatchewan Learning document //Incorporating the Common Essential Learnings and the Adaptive Dimension: A Resource Package// (1991)

[|An Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning]

[|Concept to Classroom: Inquiry-Based Learning]

DAY ONE: As of this moment, my idea of Inquiry Learning is still emerging. I can honestly say that I have not read every single word on these sites that I have found - I plan too - but haven't yet. I hope that once I have read more my idea and understanding of Inquiry Learning will be a little clearer and more definite.

Inquiry Learning is:
 * a continuous process between Questioning/Learning and Understanding - it is never ending - it is a cycle - it embodies the goal of life long learning!!

Reflection: I am feeling tired ........ I am excited about the technology aspect of things - I like technology and I want to incorporate it more into my classroom - especially with all that can be done through inquiry - fun and exciting stuff!!. But, I feel as though I have a whole heck of a lot more to learn and understand with regards to Inquiry-based Learning and how I can actually incorporate it into my classroom - and my hope is that throughout this year, I will.

DAY TWO What classroom environment features stimulate inquiry? - an environment that is supportive of seeking out answers to questions - an environment that asks students to think critically and creatively - to be able to decipher out the 'crap' - an environment that allows students to expand upon their background/previous knowledge - an environment that provides students with the opportunity to pursue and respond to essential and guiding questions

What are essential questions and why are they important? Essential Questions: - are meaningful and relevant to the learner - allow for personal connections - allow for differentiated learning - leads to further questions or revised questions - allows for deeper thought and understanding - are life-long - look at the big picture or main understanding

Why is Inquiry a valid framework for learning? -

November 25, 2008 AM Reflection: Inquiry learning involves the students delving deeper in their understanding; it provides opportunities for students to expand upon their previous knowledge and to pursue and respond to essential questions; it provides opportunities for students to think critically and creatively and seek out answers to questions; it allows them to find their own path of learning. Inquiry learning requires a new approach to teaching as it truly allows for life-long learning. Essential questions - why are they so hard so to develop, especially ones that are relevant to the students and are in that 'happy medium.'

PM Reflection: Wow, what an afternoon! It has been an arduous task getting into the meat of planning an inquiry-based unit - but extremely useful and beneficial to the learning process to more fully understand what inquiry looks like in the classroom. Things are looking good and I am starting to feel a tad bit more confident in my knowledge and understanding of what encompasses Inquiry-based learning.

November 26, 2008 - formative assessment; occurs throughout the teaching/learning process; describes the learning; provides teacher information on student progress to improve and guide instruction; teacher-driven for teacher and student use - formative assessment; occurs throughout the learning process; describes the learning; student-driven with teacher guidance; student’s self-assess and reflect; helps students determine how they learn best – what kind of learners they are; meta-cognition - summative assessment; evidence/evaluation of student learning; occurs at the end of a unit/reporting period; determines grades and grade placement; looking at standards and how students are compared to those standards; part of academic record; teacher-based
 * Assessment __for__ Learning **
 * Assessment __as__ Learning **
 * Assessment __of__ Learning **

Well, we, and I, made progress today – we reached our ‘aha’ moment as a group and were able to get things rolling – it is kind of disappointing that we are leaving things and won’t be back to get into it more until January. However, the process is exciting and it is great going through it with others who are searching their way through all of this inquiry learning.
 * Day 4 PM Reflection:**

I would describe my competency as an Inquiry Designer as lost in the woods right now. The topic our group picked is so broad we kind of get ourselves stuck and then question if what we are doing is a good thing. Also, we often get sidetracked or lose the right Inquiry mind frame which causes us to lose our way a bit which then leads to the getting stuck. So, I am still lost and fumbling around right now with this whole Inquiry thing – wandering around a bit in those woods.
 * DAY 6 AM REFLECTION:**