Inquiry is an essential element to any modern classroom. It further removes the idea of the teacher as expert and allows for students to build content, determine focus, and build their own expertise. As students find resources and wrestle with big questions, they will have ownership not only over the content the have selected, but more importantly, they will have ownership of the ideas and conclusions they draw. The freedom allowed by this kind of study shows students the ultimate respect because it shows them that we know they are capable of creative and intelligent conclusions. I think inquiry based learning does just as much for the climate of a classroom as it does for the actual learning.
Jim, great post. I especially liked when you pointed out that inquire based lessons can also improve the climate and culture of a classroom because it empowers students, and let's them know that the teacher has respect and high expectations for them.
ReplyDeleteJim I agree with all that you said in your post, Is it not wonderful to see the expression on the faces of your student when they truly get a concept. Empowering a students to seek out the answer to question give them ownership.
ReplyDelete