Understanding and Applying Authentic Inquiry

Understanding and Applying Authentic Inquiry

From Natural Curiosity and work at the lab school the following definition of authentic inquiry arises

1. learning driven or shaped by students questions or I wonders
2. pursued through group knowledge building
3. with the learning made visible to the learners or made overt.


Each of these criteria can be applied individually or together in any learning situation.  Many educators have done it successfully.  Let's apply these to our own learning here.

1. Questions about inquiry that arose at the Sudbury institute.

Authentic Inquiry

-how do we start inquiries?

-what are the steps for inquiry?

-how is the individual student acknowledged in the inquiry process?

-Scheduling Learning-how can we plan inquiry when we have a time bound schedule?

- Addressing Curriculum Expectations --how do we address curriculum expectations through inquiry?

2. Group knowledge building

Well  let's use this blog to explore these.  If you have a contribution to make on any of these questions please share them with us through a comment below.  And we will have started group knowledge building. There are many other ways to group knowledge build.  You experienced the Knowledge Building Circle in the institute.

3. Making Learning Visible

Over time this blog site will show the learning that has developed from our contributions and discussions.  You will be able to look at the discussions in the beginning and those at the end and I am sure you will be able to say -wow we have learned a lot.

So let's start with contributions to any of the questions in blue above.