What are you INQUIRING about? (WW#9)

Synonyms of inquire include inquisitive, interested, curious, questioning and analytical. These five synonyms describe perfectly the purpose of the new teaching strategy we are learning about this week: Inquiry Based Instruction. The article "The Science Teacher" by Bell, Smetana and Binns define inquiry based instruction as "involving students in a form of active learning that emphasizes questioning, data analysis, and critical thinking." I like this  short definition as it alludes to students learning in a hands on environment where learning is encouraged through the scientific method.

At first I thought inquiry based learning was really just the scientific method implemented into a lesson; however, I quickly realized that there is much preparation and thought that goes into this teaching strategy if it is to work effectively. These can cause setbacks for teachers in using inquiry based instruction. I have recognized a few challenges that may arise when planning a lesson utilizing this technique. First, it can be difficult to even recognize if you are utilizing inquiry based instruction. This method requires a research question that students can answer through data analysis. There are many classroom activities that are effective and engaging that appear inquiry based but they lack a research question and therefore they are not considered inquiry based. Second, the teacher needs to decide what level he or she will design the inquiry based activity to be at. This can also be difficult as there are diverse learners in every class and all learn at different speeds. Lower levels of inquiry based instruction should be used at the beginning of the year and progress to higher levels towards the end of the year. If a higher level activity is presented at the beginning of the year, students will not be equipped will the skills needed to be successful in the activity; however, a lower level used at the end of the year will not be challenging for students. It will not be effective in building cognitive skills. With that being said teachers must be aware of all of their learners and determine what levels are appropriate for each when planning for inquiry based instruction.

  Although a very effective strategy that promotes higher order of thinking, there are many teachers that don't utilize it because they feel unprepared to use it, they are confused by it or they feel it is too difficult to manage. This is frustrating to me that these are boundaries that are holding teachers back from implementing a classroom activity that could be beneficial to students. I realize that as a teacher I will face these same walls that might hold me back from trying something new in the classroom; however, I hope that I would push myself to try these methods and strategies. If we stay in our comfort zone as teachers we may never know the abilities we have to excel our students by utilizing new teaching techniques. I don't want the fear of failure to hold me back from providing an exceptional education to my students. Not every lesson will go perfectly and sometimes they will completely fail, but that is the beauty of learning and growing to become better!

My challenge for myself: TRY IT! (within reason of course) but you will never know the impact you can make if you never TRY IT.

Although math, reading and writing are all components involved in agricultural education, we must not forget the importance of science. Because agriculture is a science, inquiry based instruction can be very applicable to our agriculture classes. Don't believe me? Click on the link below and view many examples of activities that are inquiry based and can be used in the Ag classroom.

Link:http://www.agintheclassroom.org/teacherresources/Lesson%20Booklets/Ag=E5%20Inquiry%20Based%20Lessons.pdf