Sunday, May 25, 2008

New Inquiry Model


I took our new model to the staff. It was accepted with quiet nods and murmers. I explained the changes, due to our feedback at the end of the last trial. I had tried to develop a visual model, one that we can use in the classroom, I also wanted to show more reflection and the fact that while still linear of sorts, there is more scope to move throughout the model.
One of the most important additions is the "SO WHAT" at the end, really giving some power to the model, taking action, developing global citizenship (well, thats the aim anyway)
We decided to start with a whole school trial, in the second term. We also decided to focus on the inquiry and not the assessment outcomes. We thought it was more important to focus on getting the model in our heads and as a tool for ICT and key competencies than any knowledge outcomes.
It was hard at first to get the staff to discuss any issues about the model, I suppose we need to trial it first, but there was no challenge, no resistance either, but no challenge from the staff, was accepted as the way we will do it.
Our main question - "How/Why do animals adapt to change"
This raised issues for me, we are still thinking that inquiry is information gathering, which it is, but we are still in the 'traditional' way of tackling a topic - I couldn't really see how we could get our teeth into this, but I guess that this will come out in reflection. It is a very low end question, but wanted to start somewhere, once we have the model in our heads then we can go back and discuss the delivery. Before this discussion can happen, we need to trial and everyone needs to take ownership of inquiry. Looking forward to a great time sorting it in our heads.

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