Episode 85 – Teaching Through Inquiry
Follow OklaSaid the #Oklaed Podcast on:
Fill out our Enduring Questions Form. Thank You 🙂
Podcast Hosts and where to find us on Twitter:
OklaSaid: twitter.com/oklasaid
Erin Barnes:twitter.com/ebarnes73
Scott Haselwood: twitter.com/teachfromhere
Who hosted the #oklaed chat and where to find them on Twitter:
Todd Gragg @MrGragg AP History and Econ Teacher at Midwest City High School
Overview of chat topic
Teaching Through Student Inquiry
kqed.org/mindshift/50620/how-to-ease-students-into-independent-inquiry-projects
Questions from the chat:
1
Q1 – What comes to mind when you hear/read the phrase: teaching through inquiry?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/FZHL2dHKRi
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A1: the way learned growing up, the way to engage deep learning by association and not through memorizing, teachers have to be awesome to carry this type of teaching (slackers will fail) #oklaed
— Jun Kim (@MPSTechnology) October 8, 2018
A1 I think about the student’s motivation. In order for students to learn best, teaching can be done that breaks the norm (lectures, etc.) so students can connect with what they are learning. #oklaed https://t.co/yD4wiQaROT
— LaVelle Compton (@LaVellexCompton) October 8, 2018
2
Q2 – How have you taught using inquiry? If you have never done so, why not?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/bMSg2bk0kE
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A2 – Last year I switched from a T center approach to a Ss centered one. This is my go to now in my classroom! It is all about facilitating students on their own quests. #oklaed #MDubLearns https://t.co/03dTkOHxTL
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A2: I think a lot of teachers teach using inquiry.. they just don't know to label it that. I need to do this more often. I love teaching PBL and the students coming up w/their own questions. We shouldn't tell them what to be curious about. #Oklaed
— Kimberly Blodgett (@KimberBlodgett) October 8, 2018
3
Q3 – What is the biggest benefit from inquiry based instruction?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/HHwouRHTNM
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A3) the biggest benefit is that it takes the spotlight off the assessment and puts it on the learning that took place. Did they learn? Can they share? It makes teachers and students better. #oklaed
— Julie Robinson (@teachonyourtoes) October 8, 2018
A3- I think that the biggest benefit for kids is that they feel like they accomplish more in their learning. More and More kids are learning by doing things instead of just reading and writing. But as teachers, we need them to do or create things and then write about it. #OklaEd
— Delilah Little (@DelilahToddLit1) October 8, 2018
4
Q4 – What are the potential drawbacks from inquiry based instruction?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/6Ok9hsljGL
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A4 Not all teachers are great at developing inquiry based investigations. So we need training along with this shift to help them incorporate it. We need time, admin support and a safe place for failing. #oklaed https://t.co/gJy2taZWQp
— Heather Johnston (@tchingelements) October 8, 2018
A4) Ss can miss key details during the inquiry process if the T doesn’t have a strong depth of understanding in the content. It’s important to fill in gaps along the way through discussion. It also can be uncomfortable and cause some learners to shut down. #oklaed
— Twylla Hester (@TwyllaHester) October 8, 2018
5
Q5 – Find an answer to Q4 you have face in your own teaching and share a best practice for overcoming that potential obstacle.#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/QQyp68oh6u
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
#OklaEd A5: Ignore the mandated standards, relying iron the inquiry-learning students remembering better and choosing increased topics – therefore doing well on standardized testing anyhow … And oh, by the way, being infinitely better prepared for post-HS life, whatevervit is. https://t.co/Z6w9xcp355
— John Bennett (@jcbjr) October 8, 2018
A5: I’ve found that I can control the chaos somewhat by using stations. It gives me comfort knowing that my students move through the lesson in some kind of organized manner, but it gives them freedom to spend the most time where THEY need it. #oklaed https://t.co/2ZF3XeeSnq
— Caitlynn Neely (@neelycaitlynn) October 8, 2018
6
Q6 – What is it important to get students to ask quality questions?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/DYwqGN04te
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A6) Pushing Ss to ask quality ? Moves them to deeper understanding, transferability of learning, complex thinking, metacognition, and creates cognitive engagement. #oklaed https://t.co/OWOV3dfn4r
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 8, 2018
A6 Ss developing quality questions lead to investigations with direction, and engagement. Ss have choice in their learning and it can lead to deeper thinking about the concepts. #oklaed https://t.co/79lePcPPQV
— Heather Johnston (@tchingelements) October 8, 2018
7
Q7 – What is a best practice for guiding students to ask better questions?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/Eh3XOocmeD
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A7: becoming comfortable with the silence as you wait for them to gather their thoughts. Sometimes I catch myself rushing things when I could develop their understanding by just giving them a second. #oklaed https://t.co/0CKFtfaUif
— Caitlynn Neely (@neelycaitlynn) October 8, 2018
A7) ongoing feedback, redirecting w a question that requires them to dig deeper. Ask for clarification, practice – practice- practice! #oklaed https://t.co/kJ34dqd8yK
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 8, 2018
8
Q8 – How do students benefit from participating in inquiry based learning?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/cvRKscLLEZ
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A8) Many, many benefits from student voice to deeper understanding but – # 1 Fostering Curiosity and a Love of Learning in Ss. The best thing we can do is to teach students how to become learners! #oklaed
— Sean Trent (@MrTrent13) October 8, 2018
A8) We work in groups for simulations. Covert team building is a goal for me and it helps our students. #oklaed
— Mrs. Taylor (@MrsTaylorDCHS) October 8, 2018
9
Q9 – What soft skills are important for students to know before you relinquish control and release the students into inquiry based projects?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/SIUrFzZVep
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A9 Ss need to know how to get past obstacles like failure, changing methods when things don’t turn out as planned, but most important what effective resources look like and where to find them. #oklaed
— Kara Walk (@karawalk) October 8, 2018
C o m m u n i c a t I o n. That’s my biggest hurdle when I get kids that have come from “get & give the answer” math class. We have to spend WEEKS just learning how to TALK about math.. #oklaed https://t.co/6ozol6BDdd
— aub (@AubreeNoelle2) October 8, 2018
10
Q10 – How does the role of the teacher shift when a classroom moves from direct instruction to a more inquiry based approach?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/AhnQiFnOnT
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
A10: may appear that Ts take a back seat, but reality, Ts have to be quick and combate the “I don’t knows” and shoulder shrugs with follow up or leading questions to help build their confidence. You will be mentally exhausted! #oklaed
— Jun Kim (@MPSTechnology) October 8, 2018
a10 – teacher must be willing to let the kids move past his/her expectations. Students may come up with a better answer than the T was looking for. The T has to try not to put a “box” around their learning. #limitless #oklaed https://t.co/FUnQu13ov0
— Dena Rogers (@dena_rogers) October 8, 2018
Bonus
Bonus Question – What is one way you can apply an inquiry based approach in your classroom tomorrow?#oklaed #MDubLearns pic.twitter.com/F4kxbyityy
— Todd Gragg (@MrGragg) October 8, 2018
Bonus A: As a T, sit back and just let class take place. The S's might just surprise you. #oklaed https://t.co/24G2u7UyFP
— Adam Rogers M.Ed. (@MrRogersTech) October 8, 2018
Bonus A: We are going to discuss "what kind of power do words have?". Can't wait to see what my Kinders come up with. #oklaed https://t.co/seNSHB5RuF
— Ms.S (@KndrgartnROX) October 8, 2018
Boomsauce tweet(s) of the night:
Erin:
A5) Start with one idea and make a plan. Find your resources – write grants. Mid-Del Foundation grants are due this month! Expect craziness the first time…and the next few. 😳😁Relax and show the kids it's all okay. #OklaEd
— ChrisParadise (@ChrisParadise) October 8, 2018
Scott:
A6: because on 2018, we need divergent thinkers. We have information available to us already. We need people who think differently. Asking questions makes you think critically in a way Answering questions doesn’t. #oklaed https://t.co/NmHc4rviEl
— aub (@AubreeNoelle2) October 8, 2018
Next week on the #oklaed chat
Celebrate our successes in #Oklaed with @james409jason
Join us at 8 PM CST Sunday on Twitter for the #OklaEd chat!
All of the cool people leave comments - what are your thoughts?