Elementary Inquiry Based Learning

     It sure was easy to use up the suggested 1-2 hours searching to collect resources of information for my topic of inquiry based learning, and then some!  There was a plethora of information on my topic as I toured about blogs, databases, and through the numerous videos out there.  I first started with the suggested course links (found a few good ones there), did the easy google search (found lots, like Madlylearning) and investigated TED talks (lots, but not all inquiry specific).  UBC library was a jackpot in information, as were the Youtube videos and pinterest! 

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/25121710402840123/

Not loving the twitter world and facebook meant it took me a bit longer to find information there, but this led me to some great podcasts and connected me to other informative sites, like Mindshift!

retrieved from:
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51580/four-inquiry-qualities-at-the-heart-of-student-centered-teaching
 from the link:
 https://www.facebook.com/InquiryBased/ion

  My jackpot at the UBC library was in the guides which gave a wealth of information and applicable links like this gem I found at create2learn . I also found links to some blogs, too!  One click and the door opened to so many books, videos, lessons, and research on my topic.   I had started searching using the keywords of ‘k-7 inquiry based learning’ which worked fine in google but not as well in the UBC library.  Using the slightly different key words of ‘elementary learning in depth’ and ‘project based learning’ gave me better results in some places.  The biggest challenge in finding my desired information using UBC library journals and pinterest was finding articles with a broad inquiry focus.  My ‘elementary inquiry based learning/learning in depth’ keywords gave me too specific of results like inquiry based learning in science or inquiry based learning in grade 2, but my focus for inquiry is school wide k-7.

     When I was perusing TED talks for my topic of inquiry based learning, I couldn’t help but watch a couple of Will Richardson’s TED talks, what with his book being the basis of our class discussions!  The talks of his that I watched weren’t specifically about inquiry based learning, but still I found some insight.  This screenshot from Richardson’s video, The Surprising Truth about Learning in Schools, lists conditions for powerful learning (left side) in comparison to things people never say (right side). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyKNMrhEvY

The left side is a great list of goals that I would love to see happening in my school wide inquiry based learning environment.  I think it is a keeper as a great visual for me and for me to share out with other learners in my school.

      Overall, I did not have to adjust my search too much and seemed to have lots of sources to choose from.  One site linked to another which linked to another and so on!  I discovered that my research that I have collected is sometimes specific instead of a overall inquiry based culture feel and way of learning.  Most were specific for a grade level or about one inquiry lesson, but what I learn or take from each informative resource I will apply broader.  Hopefully the learning I gained from a post about inquiry in the grade 2 science room will help as I try to create an inquiry based way of learning school wide.

References

Inquiry-Based Learning & Teaching. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/InquiryBased/

Inquiry-Based Learning & Teaching. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/InquiryBased/ion

Me, A., Classroom, M., Store, M., Group, F., Podcast, T., Me, W., & Policy, P. (2018). Planning for Inquiry Based Learning | Madly Learning. Retrieved from https://www.madlylearning.com/planningforinquiry/

MindShift (@MindShiftKQED) on Twitter. (2018). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED?lang=en

Pinterest. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.ca/search/pins/?q=elementary%20inquiry%20based%20learing&rs=typed&term_meta[]=elementary%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=inquiry%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=based%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=learing%7Ctyped

Students, W., Learn?, C., Soon!, M., Discipline, C., Learn, H., & See, B. et al. (2018). MindShift Podcast by KQED on Apple Podcasts. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-teachers-share-mindshift/id1078765985

The Surprising Truth About Learning in Schools | Will Richardson | TEDxWestVancouverED. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyKNMrhEvY