Learning Based On Inquiry - A Modern Challenge for Teachers

The course is structured into training modules and each module focuses on a particular aspect of Inquiry-based learning in educational institutions: what Inquiry-based learning is; how to use it with students of all ages and in every subject field; steps in developing projects based on Inquiry-based learning; advantages and consequences of using this method in classroom; how to form groups and guide students’ teams to work together in complex projects; how to encourage students to ask questions, to investigate and to find answers. Each module provides knowledge, methodology, insights, skills and practical approaches to better explain what Inquiry-based learning is and how it can be applied in the classroom. The course offers guidance on how to use Inquiry-based learning due to a wide range of practical activities and challenging workshops. At the same time it focuses on internal strategies in order to make Inquiry-based learning operational for those who want to apply it in their work, thus, the course contributes to the empowerment of teachers as users of modern teaching techniques in their institutions.

Preparation:

Support information and detailed program will be provided to all participants along with a list of materials and websites connected to the topic of the course. Moreover, a questionnaire will be sent to participants via email so that they can express their interests towards the topic of the course, their requirements and expectations in terms of professional development. Participants are free to bring, if they want, a PPT presentation about their institution, teaching realities and educational systems in their countries. 

Course description

The course is structured into training modules and each module focuses on a particular aspect of Inquiry-based learning in educational institutions: what Inquiry-based learning is; when and how to use it with students of all ages and in every subject field; steps in developing projects based on Inquiry-based learning; advantages and consequences of using this method in classroom; how to form groups and guide students’ teams to work together in complex projects; how to encourage students to ask questions, to investigate and to find answers. Each module provides knowledge, methodology, insights, skills and practical approaches to better explain what Inquiry-based learning is and how it can be applied in the classroom. The course offers guidance on how to use Inquiry-based learning due to a wide range of practical activities and challenging workshops. 

 Methodology:

Methodological approach involves:

• Ice-breaking sessions
• Self-motivation sessions
• Questionnaires
• Team building sessions
• Team work
• Questioning
• Planning and structuring
• Decision-making sessions
• Negotiation
• Brainstorming
• Goal-setting sessions
• Inquiry-based activities
• Problem-solving activities
• Debates
• Individual reflection
• Group discussions
• Pyramid-discussions
• Practical activities

Objectives

• Explain what Inquiry-based learning is
• Understand the difference between Inquiry-based learning and traditional approach
• Identify possible projects to develop in their subject field with students back home using Inquiry-based learning
• Describe steps in developing Inquiry-based learning projects
• Apply the knowledge in future projects with their own students
• Explain how a project can be implemented in their own institution and the difficulties they might encounter during the process
• Achieve self-confidence, motivation and determination to apply Inquiry-based learning in their teaching
• Predict difficulties they might encounter while implementing projects based on Inquiry-based learning due to the attitude of those involved or due to the lack of necessary logistics  
• Develop abilities in implementing Inquiry-based learning through workshops based on team work and collaborative work
• Exercise practical approaches on how to educate students to work in groups effectively beyond conflicts and lack of interest
• Guide their colleagues and students on how to use Inquiry-based learning as a teaching technique due to a wide range of practical activities and challenging workshops throughout the course
• Create internal strategies in order to make Inquiry-based learning operational in their careers
• Improve teaching and communication skills
• Create a plan for implementing Inquiry-based learning with the students back home
• Exchange solutions to common challenges and examples of good practice with the other participants

Modules

• Introduction to Inquiry-based learning
• Inquiry-based learning vs. traditional approach
• How to implement Inquiry-based learning in the classroom to all subject fields
• Planning Inquiry-based learning in 10 steps
• 8 main elements of Inquiry-based learning
• Advantages and disadvantages of Inquiry-based learning
• Teaching strategies for Inquiry-based learning
• Practical approach of Inquiry-based learning
• Role of praising in enhancing motivation
• Strategies to enhance students motivation through Inquiry-based learning
• Phases of practical implementation of Inquiry-based learning
• Inquiry-based learning and young learners
• The importance of questioning in Inquiry-based learning and in developing students’ personality
• Principles of teaching and learning for shaping students’ character
• How to apply Inquiry-based learning with students in certain situations

Learning Outcomes

• Increased confidence in teaching and using Inquiry-based learning approach in the classroom
• Encourage students to question as a tool of learning, to build more collaborative work relationships and to be good examples for their peers.
• Use of teaching skills in forming groups, boosting team dynamics and increasing effective team work management during Inquiry-based learning projects
• Mastery of teaching skills based on Inquiry-based learning in the classroom 
• Reinforcement of Inquiry-based learning as a method and technique to increase students’ self-confidence, motivation and interest in their own education
• Acquisition of Inquiry-based learning skills, practical language, new transferable teaching techniques, soft skills, emotional intelligence to be used in the classroom
• Improved ability to deal with conflict situations and to solve problems that may arise in  students’ teams while developing Inquiry-based learning projects
• Development of Inquiry-based learning with students as a technique for innovative problem-solving and for increasing students’ motivation to study and become actively involved in their groups
• Encourage students to practice collaborative work and find responses to problems which are global in nature and which foster interests in the outside world
• Develop the ability to deal with  complex projects based on Inquiry-based learning which can last a long period of time
• Interaction with teachers from various European countries
• Development of language and communication skills
• Increased capacity to cooperate on international level with representatives from different educational systems
• Exchange of practical ideas and examples of good practice with the participants for applying them in classroom
• Enhanced linguistic and intercultural awareness, tolerance, flexibility, open-mindedness and availability to work in international teams
• Increased level of internationalisation of their own institutions back home
• Broader understanding of practices, policies and systems of education after analyzing similarities and differences of realities they come from
• Encouragement to share best practices, ideas and materials among colleagues within the EU
• Improved abilities to use innovative and student-centered pedagogical approaches and to develop appropriate teaching and assessment methods, based on learning outcomes

Follow-up

Participants will be given hand outs during workshops and activities and self-evaluation materials will be provided as well. At the end of the course, they will receive a questionnaire to offer their feedback regarding the effectiveness of the training event and also soft copies of all PPT materials which will have been presented at the course in order to be shown to their colleagues in their own institutions to generate interest in the new approach of Inquiry-based learning. There will be a group formed on a social network which will act as a platform allowing participants and trainers to keep in touch after the end of the course and to exchange impressions and opinions on how they apply Inquiry-based learning in their work.

Programme of training activities day-by-day:

Day 1 – MONDAY

• Ice-breaking activities
• Introduction to inquiry-based learning

Day 2 – TUESDAY

• Inquiry-based learning vs. traditional approach
• How to implement Inquiry-based learning in the classroom 

Day 3 – WENDESDAY

• Planning Inquiry-based learning in 10 steps
• 8 main elements of Inquiry-based learning

Day 4 – THURSDAY

• Advantages and disadvantages of Inquiry-based learning
• Teaching strategies for Inquiry-based learning
• Practical approach of Inquiry-based learning

Day 5 – FRIDAY

• Role of praising in enhancing motivation
• Strategies to enhance students’ motivation

Days 6/7 – SATURDAY and SUNDAY Workshops and Cultural/Sightseeing Activities

Day 8 – Monday

• Phases of Inquiry-based learning
• Inquiry-based learning and young learners

Day 9 – Tuesday

• The importance of questioning in Inquiry-based learning
• Principles of teaching and learning

Day 10 – Wednesday

• How to apply Inquiry-based learning with students
• Master classes (Presentations of participants' projects on how they will use in their work what they have learned on Inquiry-based learning)
• Feedback and evaluation
• Certificate of attendance awarding