Learning Through Enquiry

′This book brings together the traditions of historical enquiry and geographical enquiry. At its heart is the belief in children′s capacities to be enquiring historians and geographers, enabling them to develop a sound base of historical and geographical knowledge and understanding′ - Lynne Dixon, Senior Lecturer in Primary Humanities, University of Greenwich ′This book successfully combines theory and practice: it helps the reader to make sense of different perspectives of theories of learning related to these subject areas. It is therefore useful to both classroom practitioners and students alike. Readers will certainly be able to identify elements useful to their needs′ - Emily Rotchell, Senior Lecturer in Primary Geography, University of Roehampton Providing a broad and balanced overview of the teaching of history and geography, Primary Humanities: Learning through Enquiry is indispensable reading for all primary teacher education students wishing to develop their understanding of teaching humanities subjects. Using an enquiry-based approach that encourages children to learn through questioning and investigating , it combines theoretical coverage with practical examples to provide an informed, engaging guide to humanities teaching in the primary classroom. Key issues covered include planning and assessment in history and geography, using resources in teaching, and exploring creative and cross-curricular approaches in humanities. This is essential reading for all students studying primary history and geography on primary initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT, School Direct), and employment-based routes into teaching, and NQTs. Tony Pickford and Wendy Garner are Senior Lecturers at the University of Chester. Elaine Jackson is formerly Chief Adviser (Primary) Trafford BC and Primary Headteacher.

Harness the Power of Curiosity to Foster Students' Love for Learning From their youngest years, our children are innately curious. Cultivate an inquiry mindset both as a teacher and in your students! Adopt an inquiry approach that results in the most authentic and inspiring learning you've ever experienced!

Many teachers, schools, parents and community organisations feel that ‘standards’ education is not serving us well. It has proved ineffective at preparing many students for work, higher education and general wellbeing, nor does it keep students engaged and intrinsically motivated, capable of sustaining interest in education and learning. There is a supressed desire to transform educational outcomes, and enquiry based learning (EBL) and project based learning (PBL) are the prime candidates for achieving such a goal. EBL is education that is driven by curiosity, questions and problem solving, with the capacity to produce results that are equal to or better than standard outcomes. This new text provides a critical examination of EBL and PBL by exploring a wide range of international exemplars and considering the benefits, barriers and contradictions generated by the efforts of teachers and schools. Focusing on analytical frameworks and socio-cultural theory, areas covered include: enquiry and society what EPBL is learning through enquiry challenges for schools and teachers student outcomes and assessment teacher learning curriculum development. Enquiry and Project Based Learning offers analytical frameworks and practical guidance for students, teachers and all those interested in enquiry based learning, as well as presenting a balanced, purposeful and motivating alternative to mainstream educational practice.

Action Research in Education is an essential guide for any lecturer, teacher or student-teacher interested in doing research. This exciting new edition of a popular text is an important resource for any education professional interested in investigating learning and teaching. Building on the success of Action Research in the Classroom, the authors have revised, updated and extended this book to include examples from further and higher education. It maps out easy-to-follow steps for usefully applying an action research approach and is full of practical tips and examples of real practitioner research projects from a range of schools, colleges and universities. This book will help teachers to: - understand and apply practitioner inquiry - enhance their problem-solving skills - locate their own activity in a wider context - maximise opportunities to develop practice - evaluate the needs of their learners Clear, pragmatic and timely, this is a must-have text for all teachers and students of education. Vivienne Baumfield is Professor of Pedagogy, Policy and Innovation in the School of Education, University of Glasgow Elaine Hall is Lecturer in Research Methods, School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle University Kate Wall is Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, Durham University

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Humans, especially children, are naturally curious. Yet, people often balk at the thought of learning scienceâ€"the "eyes glazed over" syndrome. Teachers may find teaching science a major challenge in an era when science ranges from the hardly imaginable quark to the distant, blazing quasar. Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards is the book that educators have been waiting forâ€"a practical guide to teaching inquiry and teaching through inquiry, as recommended by the National Science Education Standards. This will be an important resource for educators who must help school boards, parents, and teachers understand "why we can't teach the way we used to." "Inquiry" refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and in which students grasp science knowledge and the methods by which that knowledge is produced. This book explains and illustrates how inquiry helps students learn science content, master how to do science, and understand the nature of science. This book explores the dimensions of teaching and learning science as inquiry for K-12 students across a range of science topics. Detailed examples help clarify when teachers should use the inquiry-based approach and how much structure, guidance, and coaching they should provide. The book dispels myths that may have discouraged educators from the inquiry-based approach and illuminates the subtle interplay between concepts, processes, and science as it is experienced in the classroom. Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards shows how to bring the standards to life, with features such as classroom vignettes exploring different kinds of inquiries for elementary, middle, and high school and Frequently Asked Questions for teachers, responding to common concerns such as obtaining teaching supplies. Turning to assessment, the committee discusses why assessment is important, looks at existing schemes and formats, and addresses how to involve students in assessing their own learning achievements. In addition, this book discusses administrative assistance, communication with parents, appropriate teacher evaluation, and other avenues to promoting and supporting this new teaching paradigm.

Students often think of science as disconnected pieces of information rather than a narrative that challenges their thinking, requires them to develop evidence-based explanations for the phenomena under investigation, and communicate their ideas in discipline-specific language as to why certain solutions to a problem work. The author provides teachers in primary and junior secondary school with different evidence-based strategies they can use to teach inquiry science in their classrooms. The research and theoretical perspectives that underpin the strategies are discussed as are examples of how different ones areimplemented in science classrooms to affect student engagement and learning. Key Features: Presents processes involved in teaching inquiry-based science Discusses importance of multi-modal representations in teaching inquiry based-science Covers ways to develop scientifically literacy Uses the Structure of Observed learning Outcomes (SOLO) Taxonomy to assess student reasoning, problem-solving and learning Presents ways to promote scientific discourse, including teacher-student interactions, student-student interactions, and meta-cognitive thinking

This textbook gives you guidance and insights into the knowledge, values and commitments necessary to succeed in the primary classroom, supported by links to theory and research literature and realistic scenarios you may encounter as a new teacher. Fully updated throughout, key features of this second edition include: · A new chapter on inclusive education · Newly expanded coverage of digital learning, engaging with educational research and the role of the primary teacher · New ‘View from Practice’ examples · Cross-referenced links to the Teachers’ Standards in England and the GTCS Professional Standards in Scotland and where they are covered within the book This is essential reading for professional studies modules on primary initial teacher education courses, including university-based (PGCE, PGDE, BA QTS, BEd), school-based (SCITT, School Direct) and employment-based routes into teaching.

This dynamic approach to an exciting form of teaching and learning will inspire students to gain insights and complex thinking skills from the school library, their community, and the wider world. Guided inquiry is a way of thinking, learning, and teaching that changes the culture of a school into a collaborative inquiry community. Global interconnectedness calls for new skills, new knowledge, and new ways of learning to prepare students with the abilities and competencies they need to meet the challenges of a changing world. The challenge for the information-age school is to educate students for living and working in this information-rich technological environment. At the core of being educated today is knowing how to learn and innovate from a variety of sources. Through guided inquiry, students see school learning and real life meshed in meaningful ways. They develop higher order thinking and strategies for seeking meaning, creating, and innovating. Today's schools are challenged to develop student talent, coupling the rich resources of the school library with those of the community and wider world. How well are you preparing your students to draw on the knowledge and wisdom of the past while using today's technology to advance new discoveries in the future? This book is the introduction to guided inquiry. It is the place to begin to consider and plan how to develop an inquiry learning program for your students.