Those who are new to an inquiry-based education like the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP)* often have questions such as “what is inquiry?” and “what does inquiry look like?”
Many schools and teaching communities around the world refer to Kath Murdoch’s inquiry cycle as a means to provide a little more structure to the complex world of inquiry-based teaching and learning. Teachers at INTL* had the great fortune to welcome Kath Murdoch (a very well-respected Australian education consultant, author, and educator) in 2017 for a full day of professional development. Since then, teachers and students alike have embarked on a shared journey as they co-construct experiences, meaning and learning through inquiry.Inquiry is not a one-off moment in learning. It is not a separate or specific part of learning, but is rather the approach and lens through which we view all forms and facets of learning. Inquiry is a process, a flexible framework that is cyclical yet not linear, where the phase of tuning in (see below, along with other inquiry phases) is continually revisited as new questions arise, misconceptions are explored and interests are expressed.
Teachers tune in to students’ thinking and activate their prior knowledge; they design tasks that make the students’ thinking visible.
Students group and regroup numbers exploring prior knowledge relating to odd and even numbers.
Learning communities (we consider both teachers and students to be learners) think as researchers and gather information from a variety of sources. Students are extended to go beyond the known and are challenged to use their skills to acquire new knowledge.
Students use authentic materials to explore moon phases, playing and experimenting with shadow and light.
Learners analyze, sort, and categorize information, identifying patterns and creating meaning.
Learners are encouraged to further their inquiry by investigating areas of personal or shared interest.
Learners are provided with time and space to draw conclusions and make connections between ideas and contexts.
Learners reflect on their new learning and the implications for personal or shared action. Teachers encourage and empower students to apply their learning to new contexts, share with others, and connect with real-life situations.
*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org