Through the initial content of this
course I have learned a lot about what inquiry-based learning is and is
not. Before reading through the content
I had some knowledge of it but also some myths to dispel. I knew that inquiry was asking questions to
gain a broader understanding of concepts.
I also thought that the idea seemed chaotic but, like any approach, I
learned that a well-laid plan helps with increasing the amount of control that
a teacher has in practicing it.
I also learned more about how applying
the natural curiosity of a student to the content in which I teach. I’ve always held the belief that students
want to learn. I also believe it is true
that students value different subjects more than others. From my own experience, I really loved
history and social studies when I was a student, so naturally I transitioned
into teaching it. I can’t say that I was
as interested in the other subjects.
Sure I did well, but the question I ask myself is whether or not I
applied myself the way I should have. My
goal for this course is to learn how to reach all of my students by developing
new outlets for them to apply themselves.
I do believe that inquiry-based learning satisfies this need for my
students.
One of my main goals as a teacher is to
create a comfortable environment. I want
to learn how to manage the wants and needs of my students while satisfying the
needs of my curriculum. A comfortable
classroom to me is a community in which students are not ashamed to ask
questions and willing to take risks appropriate to their learning. I hope to learn more about how to create a
conducive environment that promotes this type of learning.
