After reading and reflecting on this week’s resources, one quote really stuck out with me. Laufenberg said, “Get them curious enough in a subject to do research on their own”. I feel like this is inquiry learning. Developing the inquiry skills in students that will help them become lifelong learners and gatherers of information should be every teacher’s goal. I think inquiry learning takes place when students are so excited about learning a subject that they seek information and data on their own. However, as educators, we still have to guide students through the process of evaluating the massive amounts of data that they find and help them decide what information is actually reliable and valid.
Most teachers in my school still feel that they need to be the “controller” and the “dispenser” of all information. It seems to be very hard for them to utilize inquiry learning with their classes. These teachers are still so focused on the curriculum and what they need to teach in order for students to do well on standardized tests. They are afraid to give up their control. Also, they seem very apprehensive about the technology itself, and they do not know how to incorporate it into their lessons. I hope as a Media Specialist, I can help my teachers feel more comfortable integrating technology and moving toward an “inquiry learning” based classroom.
Most teachers in my school still feel that they need to be the “controller” and the “dispenser” of all information. It seems to be very hard for them to utilize inquiry learning with their classes. These teachers are still so focused on the curriculum and what they need to teach in order for students to do well on standardized tests. They are afraid to give up their control. Also, they seem very apprehensive about the technology itself, and they do not know how to incorporate it into their lessons. I hope as a Media Specialist, I can help my teachers feel more comfortable integrating technology and moving toward an “inquiry learning” based classroom.