Teaching As Inquiry 2015

Personal Inquiry

From the OneNote document

One of the important parts of our own personal development is to undertake our own 'teaching as inquiry'.   Lots of people over think this and put teaching as inquiry as something mystical.  This is not that case at all - rather it is about unpacking the thoughts you have on your impact in the classroom.

There are two places where Waihi College appraisal addresses teaching as inquiry.  I've also made previous postings on this blog on this topic (click here for the link).

This year we will attempt to focus our teaching as inquiry into one of our PLG's (so this can be from our first one - now to July or our second one - July to Dec).  I've had a few queries around this so I thought that I'd offer some options for staff.

1. If you are feeling confident on conducting your own Teaching as Inquiry - then feel free to make a start on that (if you haven't already). 
2. I'd put out there my own inquiry as a template for staff to see what it's about.  
3. Create a generic inquiry that can be used by staff (this is my least preferred option - but should create more comfort for staff around this).  

Remember that Teaching as Inquiry is enshrined in the New Zealand Curriculum Document (click here for the link) and it is also the focus of RTC #12  (click here for that link).   Remember that teaching as inquiry should always be focused on your practice of teaching and/or the students learning in class.

This post relates to RTC #12. "Use critical inquiry and problem-solving effectively in their professional practice."

Appraisal - Teaching as Inquiry

This post is based upon the document in your OneNote appraisal folder.

Personal Professional Development Plan
Teaching as Inquiry is the formalisation of common practice amongst professional educators.  We have all been doing this process since we've started teaching.  If you've ever thought "how can I get through to these guys?" you've started the Teaching as Inquiry process. 


With the front end of the NZC specifically mentioning inquiry (and the 12th registered teacher criteria being about Teaching as Inquiry) it is expected that we are formally recording some of our personal inquiry.

What is Teaching as Inquiry?
Practically it is about the professional practice of unpacking our teaching, looking at the needs of students, trying new things and reflecting back on these practices.  It is ideally about teacher deliberately crafting themselves into better practitioners. 

What isn't Teaching as Inquiry?
It is not a one off event (you need systematically reflect)

It is not above your workload - it considered a vital component (hence one of the 12RTC's) of your workload.

It is not a solo event - we need to have high trust partnerships with other teachers to help us through each Inquiry. 

 

Handout - This is two versions of explaining Teaching as Inquiry.  They really cover the same thing.  The page that has the heading "Inquiry Plan Template" is one that I've adapted to us here at Waihi College (naughty I can't reference the original source document/author). 

 

Common Queries or Hang Ups...

1. How long should an Inquiry take?
2. Can I do it on anything?
3. What if I get stuck (or time is too precious)?
4. Who should be involved?

 

 

 

This post relates to RTC # 12. use critical inquiry and problem-solving effectively in their professional practice