Inquiry Based Learning
EDIM 513
This week, I really valued learning about the 5E Instructional Model. I'm sure I've come across this model before, but it's not something I remember. I can see how planning units and lessons with keeping the 5Es in mind and incorporating Web 2.0 tools would create meaningful and engaging experiences for kids. I also see how the 5E model could lead to asking investigable questions and inquiry. I have also enjoyed learning about different Web 2.0 tools from classmates and adding them to my "Must Try" list. At this point in time, I do not have any "burning questions."
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I wouldn't say any of my thoughts about inquiry have changed over the past couple weeks. I believe in inquiry and utilizing inquiry-based strategies in the classroom. My biggest obstacle has been, and probably always will be, finding the adequate amount of time to devote to inquiry on top of everything else we're required to accomplish. That aside, I've most enjoyed learning about different Web 2.0 tools to enhance learning in the classroom. I'm keeping a running list of tools I would like to try out as the school year starts. It's very easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of resources, so I think it's important to just stick with one or two tools instead of trying everything at once. By trying too many, you run the risk of not truly exploring the possibilities within the tool and unorganized projects. When choosing a tool, it's imperative that it serves multiple purposes and is user friendly. I'd like to spend time this year maximizing all the tools within Google and also a new presentation tool such as Glogster or Prezi. As we begin to wrap up this course, I look forward to discovering ways to maximize these tools to conduct inquiry efficiently and effectively in my classroom.
My thoughts regarding inquiry have not changed greatly in the past couple weeks. A few years ago, I took a course about inquiry based learning, so I feel like I have a decent amount of background knowledge. I've tried dabbling a little bit here-and-there with inquiry but haven't been able to find way to effectively and realistically implement full inquiry in my classroom.
One thing I've come to realize through our readings is that inquiry comes in many forms. Inquiry does not need to be fully student-directed in order to be called "inquiry." This is something I've struggled with in trying to facilitate inquiry based learning projects because sometimes I feel my third graders need a little more prompting and coaching than older students may need...and that's okay! Through this course thus far, I would feel confident moving forward with inquiry in a middle school or high school classroom, but I'm hoping to see more examples of inquiry in an elementary classroom. I'm also wondering if we'll be planning any units that we'd be able to use with our students and learning some effective ways to integrate technology into the inquiry process. I see two ways in which technology would be integrated; research use and creating a multi-media project to share findings with others, so I'm hoping to learn more when it comes to technology. At this point, the tool I foresee using the most is the techbook through Discovery Education. I hope this will help me feel more comfortable implementing a variety of different inquiry based learning projects in my classroom. |
Author
Angie Wake is a 3rd grade teacher in a K-4 school in the far north suburbs of Chicago. Archives
August 2016
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