The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (DEEWR, 2009) identifies inquiry as central to effective early years learning. Teachers are able to provide opportunities for an inquiry-based approach to learning that can assist young children to explore their family through the history curriculum. Inquiry based learning is a comprehensive pedagogical approach to early years’ education. It is important for inquiry skills not to be taught in isolation, however they should be integrated into other subjects (Michalopoulou, 2014). Inquiry-based learning is deeply related to the EYLF, the history curriculum as well as creative and critical thinking. This essay will discuss inquiry based learning and how it can be positively incorporated into the history …show more content…
It is important for children to be able to develops the necessary skills to make sense of data, memorising information is no longer the most key skill for children to possess (Inquiry-based learning, n.d.). Inquiry-based learning is defined by Lutheran Education Queensland (n.d.) as seeking for truth, information or knowledge and understanding and is used in all aspects and stages of life. Inquiry based learning assists children with learning by developing critical and creative thinking skills. The twenty-first century requires “young people to be creative, innovative, enterprising and adaptable, with the motivation, confidence and skills to use critical and creative thinking purposefully” (ACARA, 2016b). According to Touhill (2012a) Inquiry-based learning is supported when educators are co-learners with children as they develop, supporting and extending on a child’s own attempts at understanding. This knowledge can be broadened by ensuring that children have the time, space and resources to become deeply involved in their investigations and there are opportunities for reflections during and after activities (Touhill, 2012a). Furthermore, it is imperative that the physical environment contains spaces as well as materials that encourage a child’s curiosity and investigation (Touhill, 2012a). By providing interesting and engaging materials educators are able to provide stimulus for children’s investigation and …show more content…
By building on children’s experiences with families and communities through the history curriculum educators help children feel confident and included and promote the principles of being, belonging and becoming (DEEWR, 2009). Being relates to the history curriculum through the development of a child’s developing awareness of their social and cultural heritage this is seen in the Western Australian Curriculum personal and family histories strand where they state that children learn about the members of their family and where they were born and raised as well as how they relate to each other (Government of Western Australia, n.d. ACHHK001). Belonging is the development of attachments of those that children trust and who care for them, this assists children develop a sense of identity as they explore the different aspects of their physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual worlds through play and their relationships (DEEWR, 2009). The EYLF states that “Becoming includes children building and shaping their identity through their evolving experiences and relationships which include change and transitions” (DEEWR, 2009, p. 20). Being, belonging and becoming relate to the histories curriculum and inquiry-based learning through the association to learning outcomes one, two and four
The world has experienced many changes in past generations, to the present. One of the very most important changes in life had to be the changes of children. Historians have worked a great deal on children’s lives in the past. “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”- Author Unknown
By teaching thematically, it would enable me to integrate the four core National Curriculum subjects within a theme. This method of theme based units utilises and builds on children's interests and life experiences, therefore skills and knowledge are developed in meaningful ways.(Kerry. T (2011) Cross-curricular teaching in the primary school, Oxon: Routledge) The Intermediate Program Policy Grades 4 to 10 (1993) suggests that the more students become engaged in how and what they study, the more interested they are in learning. Likewise, Bruner also supports the notion of children to be involved in their own learning process, so that connections could be made through personal discovery and enquiry and not just being passive receivers of information. This clearly highlights the importance of children taking an active role of their learning. Therefore in my approach of delivering the core subjects, it would be necessary for me to collaborate ...
Wineburg astutely notes that "History offers a storehouse of complex and rich problems, not unlike those that confront us daily in the real world. Examining these problems requires an interpretive acumen that extends beyond the 'locate information in the text ' skills that dominate many school tasks." (51) By being given the challenge of recognizing and combating natural psychological tendencies towards presentism and ethnocentrism, as well as the challenge of comprehending and analyzing complex and diverse historical sources, biased points of view, cultures, contexts, and historical ramifications, students are encouraged and supported in developing the reasoning skills and patience needed to accurately listen, analyze, empathize, interpret, make evidence-based
From the perspective I have at this stage in my journey in the early childhood education field, I would like to share what I have come to value and believe in regards to early learning and care by looking at my philosophy statement. To begin we will look at the statement and highlight three key features and find out why they are important to me, then we will see what they will look like in my practice, and lastly we will examine these ideas closely by looking at where they originated. By taking an in-depth look at my philosophy statement we will better understand the motivation behind my practice which I hope to continue to refine and refresh as I gain more knowledge and experience.
The Early Years Learning Framework allows educators to draw on a wide range of perspectives and theories which gives educators the ability to challenge traditional ways of teaching young children. One of the Theorists that underpins the EYLF document is Jean Piaget. Piaget’s theory is based on the belief that early cognitive development occurs through processes where actions prompt our thought process and this in turn influences our actions next time round. Piaget was of the belief that a child’s cognitive development follows a fixed process of four stages that are the same for all children. The four stages are as follows; Stage one is the Sensori-Motor stage (0-2 years). This is the stage where the child is beginning to learn about the world
Inquiry-based learning is geared with a student-centered approach, where teachers use the scaffolding technique to help students move toward stronger understanding of the subject area. Being directed towards a Science class, Forrest discovered that the literacy skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking are all components of the inquiry process and are essential to learning in a Science classroom. Methods of using inquiry-based learning in a Science classroom includes; active reading where students are given a purpose for reading, scaffolding or teacher provided guidance, and collaboration in small groups to provide feedback on a specific source. The goal of active reading is to help students focus their inquiries on specific topics in an effort to increase learning. Another discovery that was made is that Middle-school students enjoy gaining new knowledge, especially when it is presented in a social way where they can provide their own ideas and listen to the ideas of their classmates which further promote their literary proficiencies. The article concludes that using inquiry-based literacy strategies will motivate and engage students in all subject
In this assignment the practitioner is going to plan and prepare two experiences in which they will implement and evaluate after each of the lesson. These two experiences will be based on current theory, it will be in a form of an appendix to illustrate the two experiences as well as to promote children’s and young people’s thinking skills, creativity and problem solving. Many researchers such as Wilson (2000 cited in Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008, p.323) have suggested that thinking skills are ways in which a child or young person is looking at the problem. To which we use thinking as a way of processing what we as individual know as well as remembering and perceiving. As for the skills this is the way in which we act by collecting and sorting information to help make decisions and reflect after wards (Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008, p.323). This will include the practitioner to use effective approaches as well as evaluate tools, resources which can help to stimulate children and young people learning as well as supporting children development. The term for creativity has been define as being the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness (Oxford Dictionary 2013). The definition of the term problem solving has been described as the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues (Oxford Dictionary 2013).
The ability for children to discover is innate. From birth children discover all sorts of different things about the world around them. It has even been said that "babies are as good at discovery as the smartest adult" (Gopnik, 2005). Discovering is the natural way that children learn. By interacting with the world around them, they ar...
Inquiry Learning is a way to make the student find their own answers for their questions (Lakes Matyas, Ph.D). Posing a question for the students is a way to get them started. Then, by guiding the students on their own different searches, they all come together in the end to share their findings to answer the question.
Children in grades 3 through 5 are moving from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" and from "learning to write" to "writing to communicate". Students learn to work independently. They learn to read words and make mental pictures. Third through fifth graders also learn to write paragraphs, short essays and stories that make a point. The curriculum becomes more integrated. "Reading to learn" helps third through fifth graders better understand the scientific method and how to test hypotheses about the physical world. Additionally, "reading to learn" aids students in graphing and calculating scientific observations and then writing up their conclusions. Third grade science class will open new worlds of wonder and invite curious mind to explore (Williams, 2012).
What it means to be an effective educator is that you are able to reach all of your learners and teach them in a way they can understand. This means planning for different kinds of learners for each lesson, and making time for small group instruction for those students who are not quite grasping the instructional content. It also means that the educator is patient and understanding. It is important, especially in early childhood, that the educator is patient because this is a whole new world to these kids, most of them are not used to being in school all day. So we have to take that into consideration, and make adjustments. Effective educators put their students needs first.
The purpose of early childhood education is to firstly learn about one’s self and agency, how one’s actions can affect and impact others; to develop a sense of identity; who you are and how you fit into this world. Experience a sense of belonging through interactions with peers and teachers whilst celebrating and sharing diverse cultures whilst embracing others. Children need to have opportunities to explore, experiment, to gain insight and knowledge in numeracy, literacy, science and social structure through innovative and richly supported curriculums (DEEWR, 2009). I have very high expectations of all children as I believe that this assists in building self-confidence and
I believe that Face to Face learning is better than online learning because students have access to various learning resources on campus verses off. Face to face allows students to have instant gratification with answers and help. When a student is in class they can ask questions while it is fresh on their mind or help with a particular problem. If the student was at home online they would have to wait for the instructor to email them back. Is that really more conducive to a person’s education and learning?
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (1999) The History Curriculum, Dublin- The Stationery Office.Gray, A. Contructivist Teaching and Learning. University of Saskatchewan, The Road to Knowledge is Always Under Construction'- A Life History Journey to Constructivist Teaching.O’ Sullivan, E. (2014) Constructivism in the History Class. Unpublished MIC Lecture-
Inquiry is an interactive way of learning. Students are actively engaged in their studies. Inquiry involves student-centered activities focusing on questioning, exploring, and posing explanations. The goal of inquiry is to introduce a new way of learning where students can learn about the world around them through active engagement in real-life examples. Inquiry based learning can be incorporated into all academic subjects throughout the curriculum. Science could possibly be the most effective subject to incorporate inquiry.