Friday, July 8, 2011

Question about individual learning environments

I just finished posting chapter four's summary, which discussed how to create an inquiry-centered learning environment.

My question for you; How many times in your formal educational career have you experienced this type of environment? Was it beneficial?

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2 comments:

  1. AshleeJuly 8, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Very nice summary. I don't know if I have discussed this in this current course, but the explanation of an inquiry centered learning environment reminds me of the Expeditionary Learning model in the K-12 setting. Through EL teachers are not the experts but they are learning with their students.

    I have yet to try this approach with adults (nor am I sure that is has been studied with adults) but it is about taking a topic (1st grade studied butterflies) and looking at all aspects of that topic. Through the study of butterflies the students watched butterflies grow from the egg stage, they went to the Butterfly Pavilion, they wrote about the butterfly, they made predictions, they cleaned the "cages", nurtured the butteflies, etc. At the end, the students presented a final product to their parents in a formal setting.

    This way there are clear subjects taught but they are intergrated in an interesting topic.

    As an adult learner, the only time I recall being part of inquiry centered learning was during my most recent linguistically diverse educator certification program. The most recent instructor was wonderful in her approach. I went in dreading the class but she made the information relevant to all. I have to say that the teacher/instructor sets the tone for inquiry-centered learning. The atmosphere has to a welcome and inviting one. I left the class learning more than I thought I would.

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  2. Dawn DemingJuly 11, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Thanks for sharing these experiences Ashlee. Like you, I have not had many inquiry-centered classes, which I think is a detriment in certain ways. When reading this book, I reflected on many of the things Leann does to encourage us to participate in our own discoveries of the content, which I think has helped me immensely as a learner.

    I really liked your insight into "dreading the class" but the instructor made it welcoming and inviting due to her presentation. This is something we all should think about as teachers.

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