Week Two- Inquiry Based Learning
Create a blog entry that describes how your thoughts about inquiry based learning have developed over the past week. What new insights have you developed? Has anything changed? Are there any "burning questions" that you feel need to be answered?
The readings this week were focused on the skills a student needs to be successful in their post high school education and when they enter the workforce. My thoughts on inquiry-based learning have not changed but the readings have only strengthened my belief in this method of instruction. It has shown me how through inquiry-based learning, educators can nurture and encourage the process skills in their students. Inquiry-based learning provides a wonderful opportunity for students to experience those skills.
One thing that stood out for me this week in the readings comes from the 2003 document Understanding University Success. It states
"One of the most dominant themes raised by participants is the importance of the habits of mind students develop in high school and bring with them to university studies. These habits are considered by many faculty members to be more important than specific content knowledge." (Conley, 2003)
I think this speaks volumes about the importance of children having a proficient level of skills such as, and not limited to, the ability to communicate with others, the ability to listen to and interpret new ideas, the ability to work collaboratively, and the ability to think creatively and problem solve. These are basic life skills that all students should have and I can firmly support inquiry-based learning as a tool for educators in the classroom to help their students be successful.
Resources:
Conley, David. (2003). Understanding university success. Eugene, OR: 2003. Retrieved March 19, 2010 from http://cepr.uoregon.edu/UUS_Complete.pdf
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