From the Head Primary
The Spirit of Inquiry: Life-long Learning
"The meaning of ‘knowing’ has shifted from being able to remember and repeat information to being able to find and use it.” (National Research Council)"
Inquiry-based learning has been around for thousands of years and dates back to the philosopher Socrates and is founded in the Socratic Method. Socrates taught students by asking question after question seeking to expose contradictions in the students’ thoughts and ideas to then guide them to solid, tenable conclusions. The principles underlying the Socratic method is that students learn through the use of critical thinking, reasoning and logic. Its roots can also be found in the constructivist learning theories of Jean Piaget, John Dewey and Jerome Bruner where the overall goal is to make meaning. Bruner argued, “Practice in discovering for oneself teaches one to acquire information in a way that makes information more readily viable in problem-solving”. In essence, deeper understanding is gained through our own connections and fact-finding journey.
Displayed in all Primary classrooms is the Inquiry Learning Cycle, which students are guided through in their Science, Social Science and Specialist subjects. As inquirers, we (student and teacher) value the process as much as the content or product we might be working towards. Inquiry teachers see learning as a process of construction; building on prior learning through investigation, analysis and reflection. Typically, learning is guided through a 4-6-week cycle and unlike traditional teaching, the cycle is not entirely planned before the learning begins. Planning emerges over the course of the inquiry in response to teachers’ assessment of students’ needs and the students’ own interests and questions.
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Tuning In
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- provoking interest, curiosity, tension or uncertainty
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- gathering data about students’ existing thinking, knowledge, feeling and understanding of the topic
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- helping students make connections with the key concept/s
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- providing purpose, the big picture and authenticity
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- motivating, exciting, engaging
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Finding Out
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- gathering new information to address the compelling questions
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- developing the required research skills
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- learning how to organise and manage the process of finding out
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- having some shared experiences that will allow us to talk and share our thinking with others
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- stimulating curiosity through new experiences and information
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- learning how to record information gathered in efficient ways
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Sorting Out
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- comprehending – making meaning of the information gathered
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- revealing new thinking and deeper understanding
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- answering questions
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- reviewing/revising early thinking and synthesizing
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- interpreting the information and communicating with others
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Going Further
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- opportunities for students to pursue questions and interests arising from the journey so far
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- learners work more independently on investigations
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Making Conclusions
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- enabling students to reflect on what and how they have learned and set goals for the future
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- assessing final understanding and growth in skills
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Taking Action
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- Students are empowered to apply their learning to new contexts, share with others globally and connect with real-life situations
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I invite you to learn more about Inquiry on Tuesday 1 June, 2:00pm – 3:00pm, where staff will guide you, with practical experiences through the Cycle of Inquiry and you will have the opportunity to further understand the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP).
