Listening to Dr. Michael Wesch http://www.michaelwesch.com/ our keynote speaker at the SPVPA conference at Harrison Resort, was a truly worthwhile learning experience. Michael's message, delivered in a wonderfully eloquent manner was clear - create a sense of wonder in your students. So, just how do we create this 'sense of wonder' in our students? The answer - get them asking questions, relevant, meaningful questions because to question is to wonder. Encourage students to query, to ponder, to be curious, to marvel, to inquire. Inquiry based learning is one strategy that allows students to connect to their learning in a meaningful and relevant manner. With guidance and coaching from the teacher, the students formulate questions that peek their interests about what they are learning. Students need to be on a quest which can lead them from the "where they are now and what they know" to "what they want to know and where they want to be".
Many of the issues facing our students at NSLC, in Surrey, in British Columbia, in Canada, in North America have global relevance; real problems with real consequences and real solutions. Students can now deeply explore issues that captures their interest, that create that sense of wonder, that burning ? They can tackle these issues by working collaboratively with others from within the same classroom, same school, same city, same country or from classrooms half way around the world! Harnessing the technology to research the question, the 'wonder', then present/share the 'ah haws' via blogging, youtube, twitter or other means of social media... a great and exciting, fulfilling journey of learning!
At NSLC we are embarking upon the journey of inquiry based learning; currently in our infancy, having taken a few baby steps this year. In September, we will be attempting to implement this form of pedagogy across all disciplines...and it's "all aboard"...how exciting is that! Monday, September 24th, Dr. Roland Case, a professor from SFU, well known in the methodology of "critical thinking", will be leading the staff in a workshop on inquiry based learning. Staff members, Jennifer Aulakh and Jonathan Rempel, both in graduate programs, will also be sharing their knowledge on the topic. Are we excited? You bet!
