Inquiry is beneficial to educators of all stages. As a pre-service teacher I hope that my inquiry will lead to further developing my teaching practices and assisting my students in reaching their fullest potential. My inquiry relates to promoting student collaboration and relationships through meaningful discussion. I would like to research and establish effective strategies to promote student discussion, while understanding the students’ opinion on the strategies. Through implementing this inquiry I will grow both professionally and personally. Professional development is crucial to the ever-changing career of an educator. Through completing this inquiry I will participate in reflective practices. Reflective practices assist in professional and personal development and are beneficial to the inquiry process.
The process of inquiry requires diligence, extensive planning, and continuously following up. My main concern related to engaging in inquiry relates to properly planning and following up adequately. Since my inquiry is related to discussion strategies that enhance the students interest and collaboration, I will need to examine the students work, take anecdotal notes related to the effectiveness of their discussion, and follow up with the students to acquire their opinion and insights. As working through this inquiry throughout my final internship, I am concerned that I will not follow up with the students’ opinions adequately, and hope to establish an action plan with my Collaborating Teacher (CT).
Last semester my wondering was....
What discussion strategies will most effectively engage students to collaboration with peers?
I believe my inquiry topic is important for student learning because...
Discussion will enhance student participation and collaboration. By giving students the opportunity to verbally express themselves and compare their thought processes, I will be provided with formative assessment to guide instruction and increase the students comprehension and depth of knowledge.
The key forms of data I hope to collect to more deeply understand student learning related to my inquiry are...
Student surveys and interviews, anecdotal notes, and checklists.
The most important changes I hope to make/actions I hope to try related to my practice are...
I plan to alter my instructional strategies to better enhance students’ involvement within the content through discussion. Throughout this semester I will continue to participate in reflective practices and professional development so that I am better able to further the students academic and enhance my educational practices.
The key forms of data I hope to collect data to more deeply understand my teaching and myself are...
Reflective blogs, videos, and professional journals or trainings.
One thing my supervisor needs to know to help me "create a space" for inquiry in my classroom is...
Simply assist with further developing my inquiry through constructive criticism and positive feedback/suggestions.
One thing my course instructor needs to know to help me write-up and share my inquiry with others is...
To clearly state the requirements related to the inquiry assignment so that I am able to practice to the best of my ability. Similarly to the supervisor, I would benefit from my course instructor providing constructive criticism, positive feedback, and suggestions related to how to further develop my inquiry. Additionally, providing feedback to drafts is extremely beneficial.