Teaching+as+Inquiry

Teaching Inquiry

Evidence tells us that students learn best when teachers:


 * create a supportive learning environment - acceptance, positive relationships, active members of the learning community
 * encourage reflective thought and action - assimilate new learning, relate it to what they already know, adapt it for their own purposes, and translate thought into action
 * enhance the relevance of new learning - understanding of what they are learning,why they are learning it and how they will be able to use their new learning. Similutate the curiosity of students, require them to search for relevant information and ideas, challenge them to use or apply what they discover in new contexts or in new ways. Involve students in decisions relating to their own learning. Make it relevant and give students greater ownership of their own learning.
 * facilitate shared learning - shared activities and conversations (home, school, wider community), everyone is a learner, (teacher included) learning partnerships are encouraged, challenge, support and feedback are essential to build the language of learning.
 * make connections to prior learning and experience - integration of new learning with what they already understand. Make connections across learning areas.
 * provide sufficient opportunities to learn - time and opportunity to engage with, practise and transfer new learning.

Inquiry Teaching Focusing Inquiry - What is important given where my students are at? Teaching Inquiry - What strategies are most likely to help my students learn Learning Inquriy - What happened as a result of the teaching, and what are the implications for future teaching?