Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry Based Learning

When

18 Feb 2016 - 19 Feb 2016

9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Asia/Singapore

Where

Singapore
Singapore, (exact venue to be advised)

Event Tag

Singapore

Inquiry has many meanings and can be interpreted in many ways. Basically it is a student directed and interest driven approach to constructing new knowledge. It is a natural style of learning supported by the work of progressive educator, John Dewey and other theorists like David Hawkins, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. It situates the learner in an empowering position and supports the creation of a community of learners that includes teachers, families and children as co-learners. It often requires a paradigm shift on behalf of adults but children will take to the experience of inquiry based learning readily. Using provocations and invitations for learning, teachers can create environments that support inquiry and interest based learning while employing questioning strategies to continue the learning utilizing a project-based methodology. By practicing questioning to support inquiry in an experiential way, participants will record and reflect on how questions can lead to meaningful learning. By focusing on tinkering (the “tinkergarten” participants will have an opportunity to tinker and play to see how this supports the creative process. Participants will be introduced to Bloom’s Taxonomy for the 21^st century to see how creativity supports all learning and is the highest ordering of the brain. It is through creativity that inquiry and projects emerge. Participants will learn how to guide inquiry that engages the learners and motivates them to be self-guided in their learning by utilizing creativity and technology. Dispositions to inquiry will be explored as well as the developing classroom routines and mindsets that support inquiry.

Objectives
Upon successful completion of the workshop, the participants will be able to:

Assess and reflect on your own disposition to inquiry-based learning through discussion
Learn ways to apply an inquiry approach in the classroom utilizing interests and projects by exploring materials that encourage creative thinking
Compare and contrast theories that support inquiry-based learning through reflection and discussion
Develop an approach to planning that supports the sustainability of inquiry-based learning by co-construction within small groups
Increase your awareness of resources, research and opportunities to share and collaborate by becoming aware of social mediums that support inquiry

Outline
Day 1:

Introduction to inquiry-based learning – presentation and video
Theoretical and historical foundation of inquiry-based learning – review of handouts and presentation
Current research and practice on inquiry focusing on 21^st century teaching and learning
Exploring terms – interests, inquiry, emergent, projects – engaging in discussion
One-Minute Review of the Day

Day 2:

Review
Practice inquiry-based learning by exploring (tinkering) with materials
Develop questioning and scaffolding strategies to support learning
Engage in co-constructed planning process that supports inquiry through group interaction
Documenting inquiry-based learning by creating concrete examples
Accessing and sharing resources – showcasing social media – Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest
One-Minute Review of the Day

Trainer’s Profile
Dr Diane Kashin is a professor at Ryerson University in Ontario, Canada. Diane’s background is in early childhood education. Diane has offered multiple professional learning experiences, has provided on-site consultation to schools and programs and is an experienced adult educator. In 2009, Diane’s doctoral dissertation on Reggio-inspired curriculum was published. Diane has also published two academic, peer-reviewed articles and two early childhood education textbooks with co-author Beverlie Dietze. Diane is committed to the use of social media as a tool of professional learning.

Methodology
This two-day workshop comprising of many opportunities for experiential and collaborative hands-on learning opportunities is built upon the principles of constructivist theory. Participants will have the opportunity to be fully engaged, interact with colleagues, reflect on, and document their learning in an environment that is supportive of multiple ways of knowing helping educators build their professional knowledge base about practice and theory.

Target Audience
The target audience is teachers, early childhood educators, and administrators, working with learners of any age.

Investment
SGD750.00/pax
SGD650.00/pax if register by 1 Oct 15

Duration: 2 days, 12 hours
Closing Date: 1 Dec 15