Inquiry Workshop
Last April 26-27, 2017, I led a workshop on Inquiry in the Social Studies. The focus of this workshop was to introduce and strengthen the use of inquiry as an approach to teaching and learning in the secondary years (Years 7-12).
The workshop started with a visit to Beacon School in Taguig, the purpose of the visit was to expose teacher participants to an inquiry in the classroom setting, they were able to observe classes in the primary and middle years of the school. One class in the primary years was currently conducting its tuning in and the class in middle school, was doing its going further. The experience for the teachers provided them with insights into inquiry and compare these experiences to their current practices.
When we returned, the workshop began with the leader asking some provocations from the participants:
The workshop started with a visit to Beacon School in Taguig, the purpose of the visit was to expose teacher participants to an inquiry in the classroom setting, they were able to observe classes in the primary and middle years of the school. One class in the primary years was currently conducting its tuning in and the class in middle school, was doing its going further. The experience for the teachers provided them with insights into inquiry and compare these experiences to their current practices.
When we returned, the workshop began with the leader asking some provocations from the participants:
- What are some challenges in teaching social studies?
- What did we hate about social studies that made learning it in the past challenging?
- If you were to look at your current social studies units, what are some of the challenges in teaching these?
The Inquiry Process leads to understanding the world which we live, learn, communicate and work
Lines of Inquiry
Part of the workshop was given to the participants to reflect and find out how they have integrated inquiry into their units or how inquiry can be integrated into social studies. At the end of the self-study, the participants exhibited their work, samples of student work, and their goals once the workshop has concluded.
To conclude the workshop, we looked back at our current social studies units, identified what changes can be made and how inquiry can be applied to these units. We created a central idea and lines of inquiry for each of the units, identified possible resources, field trips and resource speakers for the finding out; and look at strategies for the sorting out.
- Inquiry as a process
- Assessing Understanding
- Making meaningful inquiries
Part of the workshop was given to the participants to reflect and find out how they have integrated inquiry into their units or how inquiry can be integrated into social studies. At the end of the self-study, the participants exhibited their work, samples of student work, and their goals once the workshop has concluded.
To conclude the workshop, we looked back at our current social studies units, identified what changes can be made and how inquiry can be applied to these units. We created a central idea and lines of inquiry for each of the units, identified possible resources, field trips and resource speakers for the finding out; and look at strategies for the sorting out.