Inquiry as an approach to teaching and learning has long been regarded as a powerful means not only to engage students, but as an approach that builds the critical skills and dispositions for learning alongside a commitment to developing deep understanding across the curriculum. Inquiry is more than a way to plan and teach a ‘unit’. It is a stance taken by teachers and learners and a ‘way of being ‘ in the classroom that is truly transformative.  Skilled inquiry teachers know how to nurture and strengthen learner agency. This approach to teaching ignites a zest for learning driven by curiosity and collaboration as students explore questions of significance.

This two day, highly practical workshop is designed explores both the pedagogy of inquiry (how we teach) and the ways in which we can design learning experiences that support and challenge learners as inquirers.  The emphasis in this workshop is on the role of the teacher in the context of inquiry – as artful facilitator and responsive learning designer.

Over the course of the two days, we will explore the following:

Day 1: a focus on pedagogy

·      The teacher as inquirer: activating prior knowledge and tuning into students’ thinking

·      Growing learner assets: creating a culture of inquiry into learning itself

·      The learner as active investigator: designing opportunities and building the skill set for researching/gathering information

·      Cultivating curiosity and sharpening our questioning skills

·      The role of the environment in stimulating, supporting and documenting inquiry

Day 2 : a focus on design

·      Designing for inquiry learning at both lesson level and unit level

·      Designing to meet the needs of all learners – an emphasis on inclusivity

·      How to plan more responsively  - how co-planning can nurture agency

·      Using cycles of inquiry to support planning

·      The role of concepts in framing a powerful inquiry

·      Moving from shared to personal inquiry

·      Tips for collaborative planning and documentation

*Note: for those teachers who have previously attended Kath’s ‘Teaching and Learning through Inquiry’ weekend workshop, this workshop includes some of the same content BUT Kath has built on and refined many of the components to reflect new thinking and recent experience in partner schools.